Amazon acquires ETH Zurich start-up.
Keystone-SDA
Amazon has bought the Zurich-based start-up Rivr, which specialises in delivery robots. The spin-off from the Swiss federal technology institute ETH Zurich, formerly known as Swiss-Mile, was valued at around $110 million (CHF86 million) in 2024, according to press reports.
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Rivr CEO Marko Bjelonic confirmed the acquisition in a post on LinkedIn but did not reveal any financial details.
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Switzerland – where the robots of tomorrow are born
Investors included Amazon as well as Jeff Bezos through his investment company, according to the tech publication The Information. Amazon was already an investor and was involved through its Industrial Innovation Fund.
Rivr builds autonomous delivery robots that support personnel by moving parcels nearby. They combine wheeled and four-legged mobility to climb stairs and navigate rough terrain.
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In Zurich, Rivr made headlines last year when tests with a delivery robot were temporarily halted after authorities classified the devices as road vehicles and demanded corresponding permits.
The Swiss Federal Roads Office subsequently granted Rivr a temporary exemption permit until the end of 2025, allowing pilot projects to resume. However, operations are restricted, as the robots may initially only be used remotely controlled and under human supervision.
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