E-commerce firm Amazon is continuing its push into the final mile delivery market with the introduction of an autonomous delivery robot, called Scout.
Amazon said the robots are "the size of a small cooler" and "roll along sidewalks at a walking pace".
Initially they will deliver packages to customers' homes in a neighborhood in Snohomish County, Washington.
Amazon Scout vice president Sean Scott said: "We’re starting with six Amazon Scout devices, delivering packages Monday through Friday, during daylight hours.
"The devices will autonomously follow their delivery route but will initially be accompanied by an Amazon employee.
"We developed Amazon Scout at our research and development lab in Seattle, ensuring the devices can safely and efficiently navigate around pets, pedestrians and anything else in their path."
In June, Amazon launched launched a new offering that helps entrepreneurs build their own delivery companies for Amazon packages, a move that bypasses the likes of FedEx and UPS.
Entrepreneurs can earn as much as $300,000 in annual profit operating a fleet of up to 40 delivery vehicles.
Individual owners can build their business knowing they will have delivery volume from Amazon, access to the company’s delivery technology, hands-on training, and discounts on a suite of assets and services, including vehicle leases and comprehensive insurance.
