Overview

RIVR ONE is a wheeled-legged delivery robot from Zurich. Behind it stands RIVR Technologies AG, a spin-off of the Robotic Systems Lab at ETH Zurich, which started in 2023 under the name Swiss-Mile and rebranded in early 2025. On March 19, 2026, the company was acquired by Amazon; financial details were not disclosed.

Design

The robot combines two modes of locomotion in a single chassis: each of its four legs ends in a wheel. On level ground, it rolls energy-efficiently; when it encounters stairs, curbs, and gates, it raises itself up and walks. The payload sits in a box on its back; it can carry over thirty kilograms. Lights and a prominent flag ensure visibility in traffic, complemented by a physical emergency stop on the device.

Technology and AI

RIVR ONE navigates autonomously on sidewalks, bike lanes, and across crosswalks, detecting pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, and pets. It reaches speeds of up to fourteen kilometers per hour and has a range of over thirty kilometers; recharging takes two to three hours. An emergency stop can be triggered automatically, via a button on the device, or remotely; a support team is available around the clock. The manufacturer provides no details on computing cores and sensors.

Market Significance

Field trials have been conducted with Evri, Veho in Texas, Just Eat Takeaway, as well as Swiss Post and Migros Online. The acquisition by Amazon shows how seriously the delivery industry takes this concept: the unsolved problem is not driving to an address but the last twenty meters—staircases and doorbells. Financing in 2024 was led in part by Bezos Expeditions.