Amazon acquires startup developing child-sized humanoid robots

Amazon has confirmed it has acquired Fauna Robotics, a two-year-old startup founded by former Meta and Google engineers that is developing child-sized humanoid robots designed for use in the home.

Bloomberg first reported the acquisition, though the financial details of the deal have not been disclosed. What is known is that Fauna Robotics' team, including its two founders, will join Amazon and be based in New York City.

In a statement shared via email, an Amazon spokesperson said the company is enthusiastic about Fauna's direction. "We are excited about Fauna's vision to build capable, safe, and fun robots for everyone," the spokesperson said. They added that Amazon plans to combine its own robotics capabilities and long-standing experience in consumer devices and home services with Fauna's work to create new ways to improve customers' everyday lives.

Fauna Robotics began delivering its first product earlier this year. The startup introduced a 59-pound bipedal robot named Sprout, which has been shipped to a limited group of research and development partners as part of its initial rollout.

This marks Amazon's second robotics-focused acquisition in the same month. Earlier, the company confirmed it had also acquired Rivr, a Zurich-based startup known for developing autonomous delivery robots capable of climbing stairs. Similar to the Fauna deal, the terms of that acquisition were not made public.