Amazon Launches Electric Autonomous Delivery Robots in Washington State
Amazon introduces Scout, a small, fully-electric autonomous delivery device that rolls along sidewalks to bring packages to customers in Snohomish County.
Amazon introduces Scout, a fully-electric autonomous delivery device designed to safely transport packages to customers. The device is the size of a small cooler and moves along sidewalks at a walking pace. Customers order through the standard Amazon App or website, and the system automatically assigns the package to either a standard carrier or an Amazon Scout device.
The initial rollout takes place in a neighborhood in Snohomish County, Washington, where six Scout devices operate Monday through Friday during daylight hours. While the robots navigate their routes autonomously, an Amazon employee currently accompanies each device to monitor its performance. The devices are specifically engineered in a Seattle research lab to navigate safely around pedestrians, pets, and other obstacles.
Local officials welcome the new technology as a positive step for the community and a great fit for the region's entrepreneurial spirit. Amazon views Scout as a valuable addition to its suite of delivery solutions and plans to use the data gathered from this initial neighborhood to improve the service. The company ultimately aims to increase both sustainability and convenience for customer deliveries over time.