Prime Highlights
- Amazon acquires Fauna Robotics, a startup making “approachable” humanoid robots, to expand its robotics expertise for consumers and businesses.
- Fauna’s CEO says the company will continue to operate as Fauna Robotics, an Amazon company, bringing its team and technology into Amazon’s ecosystem.
Key Facts
- Fauna’s first robot, Sprout, is a 3’6” bipedal robot priced at $50,000, designed to be human-friendly and accessible to developers.
- Amazon has been investing in robotics for years, previously acquiring Kiva Systems and recently buying Rivr to strengthen delivery and automation capabilities.
Background:
Amazon has acquired Fauna Robotics, a startup that builds “approachable” humanoid robots for businesses and consumers, the company confirmed Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Fauna’s first product, Sprout, is a $50,000 bipedal robot, standing 3 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 50 pounds. It is designed to be “human-friendly” and accessible to software developers. The acquisition will bring Fauna’s roughly 50 employees to Amazon’s New York operations.
An Amazon spokesperson said, “We are excited about Fauna’s vision to build capable, safe, and fun robots for everyone. Together, we look forward to inventing new ways to make our customers’ lives better and easier.”
Founded in 2024 by former Meta and Google engineers, Fauna Robotics has already signed Disney and Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics as early customers. Fauna CEO Rob Cochran expressed excitement about joining Amazon, saying the company will continue to operate as Fauna Robotics, an Amazon company.
The move strengthens Amazon’s decade-long investment in robotics, primarily for warehouse automation. The company previously acquired Kiva Systems in 2012 and more recently bought Rivr, a Swiss company developing doorstep delivery machines.
By acquiring Fauna, Amazon is entering the growing humanoid robot market, competing with players such as Tesla’s Optimus, Apptronik, 1X, and China-based Unitree. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced plans to produce one million humanoid robots per year at a converted factory in Fremont, California.
Amazon has tried making home robots before. Its Astro robot, launched in 2021, costs $1,600 and is available by invitation only. The company wants to use its experience in robotics and retail to see how personal robots can make daily life easier.