Amazon Expands Scout Delivery Robot Tests To US Atlanta, Other Markets

Scout has been tested till now in Snohomish, Washington and Irvine, California, both largely suburban locales.

The significance of the Atlanta announcement is that it represents a big, urban market, which may mean the company believes it is getting closer to a broader roll-out. JL

Kurt Schlosser reports in GeekWire:

Amazon Scout, the package delivery robot that looks like a cooler on wheels, is headed to two new cities as the tech giant continues to expand the test market for the device.Amazon says the same delivery options are available via Scout as with any order, including same-day, one-day and two-day shipping for Prime members. The robots autonomously follow their delivery route, and for now are accompanied by a (human) Amazon Scout Ambassador.

Amazon Scout, the package delivery robot that looks like a cooler on wheels, is headed to two new cities as the tech giant continues to expand the test market for the device.

Scout will now operate in Atlanta and Franklin, Tenn., the company announced on Tuesday. Scout started its journey in Snohomish County, Wash., in January 2019 and last August the autonomous machine started operating in Irvine, Calif. Field tests will continue in those areas.

In a blog post on Tuesday, Amazon Scout Vice President Sean Scott said that Scout has continued to operate throughout the coronavirus pandemic and has helped the company meet increased customer demand.

“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,” Scott said, adding that Amazon has a significant presence in the areas through corporate offices and logistics facilities.

Amazon says the same delivery options are available via Scout as with any order, including same-day, one-day and two-day shipping for Prime members. The robots, developed at an Amazon lab in Seattle, autonomously follow their delivery route, and for now are accompanied by an Amazon Scout Ambassador.