At the start of 2020, Amazon Scout—our fully-electric delivery system designed to safely get packages to customers using autonomous delivery devices—was busy becoming fast friends with a variety of household objects. From surfboards, to luggage, to refrigerators, and even Christmas trees waiting to be picked up for recycling—our autonomous devices have navigated around all types of objects on the sidewalk.
But a lot has changed these past few months. Amazon has been providing an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic and working hard to get customers the products they need so they can continue to stay safe. Amazon Scout is quietly playing its part in this effort, too. Through partnerships with the communities of Snohomish County, Washington, and the Irvine-area of California, Amazon Scout has continued to operate during the pandemic and helped us meet increased customer demand by supplementing our transportation network.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that these devices have brought small moments of joy for communities staying at home. Seeing our adora-bots roll past, children have shared thank you cards with the Amazon Scout Ambassadors who accompany our devices. Check out some of our favorites, further down the page.
And now, I’m excited to announce that we are heading south in our journey and expanding operations to two new locations. This week, we expanded our field test and Scout is now delivering packages to select customers in Atlanta, Georgia and Franklin, Tennessee.
Amazon Scout delivery devices are built to be inherently safe. They’re the size of a small cooler and move at a walking pace. Each delivery device can navigate around pets, pedestrians, and other objects (including surfboards!) in its path. We are starting with a small number of Amazon Scout devices in each city, delivering Monday through Friday, during daylight hours. Customers in both areas will order just as they normally would and their Amazon packages will be delivered either by one of our trusted carrier partners or by Amazon Scout. The same delivery options are available, including fast, FREE Same-Day, One-Day, and Two-Day shipping for Prime members. The devices will autonomously follow their delivery route, and initially be accompanied by an Amazon Scout Ambassador.
We're thrilled to bring Amazon Scout to two new communities. Adding Atlanta and Franklin to our existing operations gives Scout devices the opportunity to operate in varied neighborhoods with different climates than they operate in today. Amazon also has a significant presence in these areas through our corporate offices and logistics facilities. And, we know they are both great places to find world-class talent that can help us continue inventing for customers.
Speaking of world-class talent: we’re looking forward to partnering with local schools near the areas where we operate in Atlanta and Franklin to support STEM and robotics activities, helping to build the next generation of innovators in both cities.
Expanding our field test to Atlanta and Franklin is one of the many steps forward for this new delivery system and on our path to net zero carbon by 2040. During a time when so many of our customers rely on us to get what they need, bringing Scout to these new locations supplements our transportation network and increases our capacity to deliver what our customers want: great selection, low prices, and fast shipping speeds.
Scout is excited to meet you in the Peach and Volunteer States!
Thank you cards from Snohomish County and Irvine-area communities
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