Amazon has launched its new self-driving, fully-electric delivery system called Scout – the latest addition to the company’s growing suite of innovative delivery solutions.
The small robot devices, created by Amazon, are the size of a small cooler. The robot can roll along sidewalks at a walking pace delivering packages to a customer’s doorstep.
According to Amazon, the small robots are capable of dealing with obstacles such as pedestrians and pets.
Starting today, Amazon will begin using these devices to deliver packages to customers in a neighborhood in Snohomish County, Washington. Customers in the neighborhood will now have their Amazon packages delivered by a partner carriers or by Amazon Scout.
“We’re starting with six Amazon Scout devices, delivering packages Monday through Friday, during daylight hours,” Sean Scott, vice president of Amazon Scout, said in an official statement.
“The devices will autonomously follow their delivery route but will initially be accompanied by an Amazon employee. We developed Amazon Scout at our research and development lab in Seattle, ensuring the devices can safely and efficiently navigate around pets, pedestrians and anything else in their path.”
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said: “We are delighted to welcome Amazon Scout into our community. Similar to Amazon, we are always looking for new ways to better deliver service to our residents. From the latest Amazon innovation to cutting edge technology, Snohomish County is a great place for entrepreneurial creativity.”