Hey there, tech lovers! Today, we’re exploring a fun twist in package delivery – robotic dogs stepping up in Austin. Imagine robots on roller skates delivering your parcels — pretty cool, right?

Most delivery services stop at the curb, but some innovative companies are tackling the last stretch from van to doorstep. In Austin, Rivr’s robotic helper, described as “a dog on rollerskates,” is being tested to ferry packages from Veho’s vans right to your front door. It’s a small-scale pilot, one robot running supervised daily for five to six hours over a few weeks, but it marks a key step towards complete autonomous delivery.

CEO Marko Bjelonic highlights that robotics could address major challenges in last-mile delivery, making a difference in ways humans do naturally but robots find difficult. Rivr aims to be the next phase beyond sidewalk robots, differentiating itself in the evolving robotics landscape.

This partnership with Veho, serving brands like Sephora and HelloFresh, also helps Rivr collect vital data to develop more intelligent and versatile AI frameworks for robots. Bjelonic explains that such data is scarce in robotics, unlike chatbots or autonomous cars, so finding impactful use cases allows for meaningful data gathering to improve robot capabilities.

For Veho, this collaboration means testing new automation methods, potentially increasing delivery efficiency in busy urban areas by having humans and robots work together. Rivr’s robots could also lessen the physical burden on delivery drivers by handling door-to-door tasks.

During the Austin trial, a human operator accompanies the robot to ensure safety and quality. While the robots are capable of autonomous operation, remote support is available if a robot encounters issues. The initial phase targets residential neighborhoods before expanding into busier parts of the city, with plans to eventually pair these robots with charging stations and extend their working hours.

Thanks to its recent funding — over $25 million, including a valuation of $100 million — Rivr plans to scale to 100 robots next year and thousands by 2027. Currently operating in the UK through a partnership with Evri, Rivr envisions broad deployment in the future, revolutionizing last-mile logistics with the help of AI and robotics.