Scout, Amazon's delivery robot, has been taken off the field tests

October 07, 2022 By Jozeph P

(Image Credit Google)

Amazon is modifying its plans to create a delivery robot called Scout, but the company says that the project is not complete. The corporation has halted machine testing, according to Bloomberg, and the Scout team, which has 400 personnel worldwide, is being dismantled. Alisa Carroll, an Amazon spokesman, said that the business is "not completely giving up on the Scout program": We still have a crew devoted to Scout even if we are reducing the program. Carroll told that "During our Scout limited field test, we strived to create a unique delivery experience, but we found through feedback that there were some components of the program that weren't meeting customers' demands." "As a result, we are halting our field tests and refocusing the initiative. Throughout this transition, we are working with employees to place them in open positions that best suit their expertise and skills. Scout, Amazon's delivery robot, has been taken off the field tests

Scout, Amazon's delivery robot, has been taken off the field tests

The robot joined a growing fleet of semi-autonomous delivery vehicles, which ranged in size from cooler-sized wheeled robots like Scout and market leader Starship Technologies to "pods" the size of small cars like those tested by Uber Eats and autonomous driving startup Nuro and currently used in China by Amazon's e-commerce rival Alibaba. In most cases, the goal is for the robots to conduct "last mile" deliveries, or transport products from nearby distribution hubs to consumers' front doors. The economics of this technology may not be sound, as evidenced by Amazon's Scout debacle. Although the robots are supposed to be autonomous, they frequently need to be monitored remotely, especially when they encounter unforeseen situations. They have minimal benefits over traditional couriers because they are also sluggish, going at a strolling pace. Scout, Amazon's delivery robot, has been taken off the field tests

According to Bloomberg, Amazon's decision to stop testing Scout is a part of a company-wide initiative to reduce more risky expenditures as growth in its primary retail business slows. Amazon recently discontinued its interactive, family-friendly video device, Amazon Glow, and will stop its telemedicine service, Amazon Care, by the end of the year. It will be interesting to watch if Amazon Prime Air, its drone delivery service, makes it through this purge. The project was announced in 2016, however, there have been multiple accusations of poor management, exaggerated expectations, and a significant staff turnover in subsequent years.

By Jozeph P

Journalism explorer, tech Enthusiast. Love to read and write.

Scout, Amazon's delivery robot, has been taken off the field tests

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