Most delivery automation halts at the curb, but Veho and Zurich-based robotics startup Rivr are targeting the critical final stretch — the last 100 yards from van to doorstep. In a new pilot program launching in Austin, Rivr’s four-wheeled, stair-climbing robot — described by CEO and founder Marko Bjelonic as “a dog on roller skates” — will deliver packages directly from Veho vans to customers’ doors.
A Small Start With Big Ambitions
The pilot will begin modestly, with just one closely supervised robot operating daily for five to six hours over a few weeks. Despite the limited scale, both companies view it as a significant milestone in advancing end-to-end autonomous delivery. Rivr’s robot represents what Bjelonic calls “the next evolutionary step from the sidewalk robots,” designed to handle terrain and obstacles where automation typically stops.
Building Smarter Robots Through Real-World Data
The partnership is not only a test bed for Rivr’s hardware but also a critical data-gathering opportunity. According to Bjelonic, robotics lags behind other AI fields like chatbots and self-driving cars due to a lack of large-scale, task-specific data. By solving tangible delivery challenges, Rivr aims to collect meaningful real-world data to develop a broader physical AI framework.
Easing the Driver’s Burden
Veho, which operates in 50 U.S. markets with clients such as Sephora, Saks, and HelloFresh, sees this initiative as a way to explore van-to-door automation. In dense urban areas, a combined effort between driver and robot could speed up delivery routes. Rivr’s robots are also expected to reduce physical strain on drivers by taking over door-to-door package handling.
Expansion Plans and Future Outlook
During the trial phase, a Rivr employee will accompany the robot to ensure safety and delivery quality. While the bots can operate autonomously, remote operators will be on standby in case of navigation issues. The pilot will begin in Northwest Austin and could later expand to busier neighborhoods. Looking ahead, Rivr aims to scale up to 100 robots by next year and thousands by 2027. The startup, already active in the U.K. via a partnership with Evri, has raised over $25 million and is valued at $100 million.
