Which major company acquired robotic doorstep delivery provider RIVR in March 2026?

The major company that acquired robotic doorstep delivery provider RIVR in March 2026 was Amazon. This strategic move highlights Amazon's ongoing commitment to automating and enhancing its vast delivery network (Review), particularly in the challenging "last mile" of package delivery.

RIVR, formerly known as Swiss-Mile, is a Swiss robotics company renowned for its innovative wheeled-legged robots. These advanced robots are specifically engineered to navigate complex urban environments, including obstacles like stairs (Review), curbs, uneven pavements, and tight spaces, which often pose significant challenges for traditional delivery methods. The company's focus on "General Physical AI" aims to enable autonomous systems to operate effectively in real-world scenarios, collecting data to continually improve their performance.

Amazon's interest in RIVR was not new; the e-commerce giant, through its Industrial Innovation Fund and Bezos Expeditions, had previously invested in RIVR during a 2024 funding round. This acquisition allows Amazon to directly integrate RIVR's cutting-edge technology into its logistics operations, further streamlining deliveries and potentially improving safety for its delivery personnel. While Amazon had previously experimented with its own delivery robot, "Scout," which was discontinued in 2022, the acquisition of RIVR signals a renewed and focused effort to leverage advanced robotics for doorstep delivery, extending Amazon's automation strategy from its warehouses directly to customers' homes. This integration aims to make deliveries faster, more efficient, and more scalable, ultimately transforming the customer experience.