In a groundbreaking move for e-commerce logistics, U.S.-based delivery company Veho has partnered with Swiss robotics firm RIVR to introduce wheeled robotic "dog" couriers in Austin, Texas.
The pilot program, which began on May 27, 2025, aims to revolutionize the "last 100 yards" of parcel delivery by deploying AI-powered robots capable of navigating complex urban environments and delivering packages directly to customers’ doorsteps.
A New Breed of Delivery
RIVR’s robots, often described as "dogs on roller skates" by CEO Marko Bjelonic, are four-wheeled, stair-climbing machines designed to tackle the final stretch of delivery — from the delivery van to the customer’s front door.
Unlike traditional sidewalk robots that stop at the curb or drones that struggle in crowded urban settings, these robo-dogs combine a wheeled-legged design with general physical AI, enabling them to overcome obstacles like stairs, gates, and uneven terrain. This innovation addresses a long-standing challenge in last-mile delivery, where the final steps are often the most logistically complex and costly.
The robots operate autonomously, following instructions via the Veho app to place parcels exactly where customers specify. After each successful delivery, the app sends a photo confirmation to the customer, ensuring transparency and reliability.
During the initial trial, a RIVR employee accompanies the robot to ensure safety and quality, while teams from both companies monitor its performance remotely to gather real-world data.
The Austin Pilot: A Testing Ground for Innovation
The pilot program in Austin began with a single robot operating daily for five to six hours, initially focusing on the residential area of Northwest Austin before expanding to denser parts of the city.
Veho, which delivers for major brands like Sephora, Saks, and HelloFresh across 50 U.S. markets, sees this partnership as a step toward enhancing delivery efficiency.
“Customers care most about reliability, speed, and cost,” says Veho co-founder and CEO Itamar Zur. “This partnership allows us to explore how a robot working alongside a human can reduce costs while improving speed and maintaining a great brand experience.”
For RIVR, the Austin trial marks its entry into the U.S. market and a chance to collect critical data to refine its physical AI framework. Bjelonic emphasizes the importance of real-world scenarios for advancing robotic intelligence: “Last-mile delivery offers the perfect opportunity to gather data, which is essential for scaling urban robotics.”
RIVR aims to deploy 100 robots by 2026 and thousands by 2027, building on its existing operations in the U.K. with delivery platform Evri.
Empowering Humans, Not Replacing Them
Contrary to fears of automation replacing jobs, both companies stress that the robots are designed to support human drivers, not replace them. In dense urban areas with limited parking, the robo-dogs can work in parallel with drivers, delivering to one address while the driver handles another.
This hybrid model reduces the physical strain on drivers, who often face the demanding task of walking door to door. “Our robots are here to empower humans to deliver smarter, faster, and better,” Bjelonic notes.
Veho’s platform already supports millions of monthly deliveries across its network of over 30 distribution centers and 84,000 independent driver-partners. The addition of RIVR’s technology could further streamline operations, particularly in complex urban environments where efficiency is critical.
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The Future of E-Commerce Delivery
The Austin pilot is just the beginning. Depending on the trial’s outcomes, Veho and RIVR plan to expand to additional U.S. markets later in 2025.
The partnership aligns with the broader trend of integrating AI and robotics into logistics to meet the growing demands of e-commerce.
As online shopping continues to surge, the last mile has become the most critical — and challenging — link in the supply chain.
Innovations like RIVR’s robo-dogs could redefine how parcels reach consumers, offering a scalable, cost-effective solution that prioritizes both efficiency and customer experience.
While the technology is promising, its success will depend on how well it adapts to real-world variables — such as unpredictable terrain, weather, and customer interactions.
For now, the streets of Austin serve as a testing ground for a future where wheeled robo-dogs might become a common sight, fetching packages with the precision of a loyal companion and the efficiency of a machine.
