The latest sign that the e-commerce giant is starting to wind down pilot programmes amid slowing sales growth is that Amazon has stopped testing home delivery robots. US retail sales show that the application falls short of fully satisfying its users’ needs.
According to a person familiar with the matter, it has already stopped developing the Scout, a standalone device it introduced roughly three years ago. Amazon spokeswoman Alyssa Carroll said the company has suspended the Scout team and would give them new roles at the company.
According to the insider who asked to remain anonymous, the project is reportedly being worked on by about 400 people worldwide.
In 2019, the Seattle-based startup started testing delivery robots on sidewalks in the suburbs around Seattle before expanding the trials to Georgia, Tennessee, and southern California.
Amazon said the battery-powered robots were a part of an initiative to cut greenhouse gas emissions in deliveries. The slow-moving gadgets, which were tested alongside human mentors, were created to halt at the front door and open their covers until the consumer could pick up the delivery.
Amazon is reacting to the slower growth in its core retail business under CEO Andy Gacy, deferring some investments and stopping work on others. No accountant, delivery drones, and a variety of satellites guaranteeing global packet Internet connectivity.
Discover why Amazon halted its home delivery robot tests.
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