RIVR Robotics Secures $22M in Seed Funding to Revolutionize Last-Mile Delivery
RIVR Robotics, a Swiss robotics company specializing in Physical AI, has raised $22 million in a seed funding round to advance its innovative approach to last-mile delivery. The round was co-led by Jeff Bezos through Bezos Expeditions and HongShan, with participation from Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund and Armada Investment. The funding will support the development and deployment of RIVR’s wheeled-legged robots, designed to navigate urban environments and deliver goods efficiently.
Founded in 2023 as Swiss-Mile, the company rebranded to RIVR in 2025 to better reflect its mission of driving the future of intelligent robots. RIVR’s robots combine artificial neural networks with innovative wheeled-leg designs, enabling them to traverse complex urban terrains, including stairs and curbs, at speeds of up to 15 km/h. These robots are powered by batteries that provide a range of approximately 30 km per charge and can carry up to 40 liters of cargo.
The company’s flagship product has already been deployed in pilot programs across Europe. In Zurich, Just Eat Takeaway.com launched a pilot program utilizing RIVR’s robots for food delivery. Customers can select robot delivery through the JET app, receive notifications upon arrival, and unlock the cargo compartment using a QR code. The entire operation is monitored live from JET’s control center, where operators can intervene if needed. This pilot represents a significant step forward in autonomous delivery technology, demonstrating the viability of robots in real-world urban settings.
In addition to food delivery, RIVR has partnered with Veho, a gig-based delivery firm, to test its robots in Austin, Texas. The collaboration aims to enhance last-mile package delivery by enabling robots to overcome complex final delivery challenges such as stairs, porches, uneven terrain, and gates. The pilot program began with a single robot, with plans to scale up to a fleet of 100 as the robots learn and improve through data collection. This initiative underscores RIVR’s commitment to addressing the nuanced obstacles faced by delivery robots in urban environments.
The recent funding will enable RIVR to expand its operations and accelerate the development of its robotic technology. The company’s vision is to create a fleet of over one million robots that can perform various tasks, from package delivery to infrastructure inspection, thereby unlocking a data flywheel for General Physical AI. By combining advanced robotics with artificial intelligence, RIVR aims to revolutionize the logistics industry and pave the way for a future where intelligent robots play a central role in daily operations.
With the backing of prominent investors and strategic partnerships with leading companies, RIVR Robotics is poised to lead the charge in transforming last-mile delivery and beyond. The company’s innovative approach to robotics and AI positions it at the forefront of the next wave of technological advancement in urban logistics.
