Amazon
is working on delivery robots, and it's already bringing the
self-driving machines to the streets. Starting today, six Amazon Scout
devices are delivering packages
in a neighborhood in Snohomish County, Washington, north of Amazon's
Seattle home base. While the robots can navigate by themselves, an
Amazon employee will accompany them, at least for now.
Scout is
about the size of a small cooler and it trundles along at walking pace.
Amazon claims the battery-powered robot can safely deal with obstacles
such as pedestrians and pets. However, it's not yet clear how Scout
verifies customers' identity to make sure its storage hatch opens only
for the correct people.
Amazon is far from the only company working on delivery robots,
though the e-commerce giant's expansive ecosystem could give Scout more
of an advantage over rival robots. It's not unlikely that Scout, or
future versions of it, will work with Key, which opens your door (and soon your garage)
to let couriers drop off packages inside your house when you're not
there. For the time being, at least, it seems you'll have to be home to
receive a package from Scout when it stops by.
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