Amazon just bought a startup making kid-size humanoid robots

In a significant move to enhance its robotics capabilities, Amazon has announced the acquisition of Fauna Robotics, a startup that specializes in developing child-friendly humanoid robots. Founded by former engineers from Meta and Google just two years ago, Fauna has attracted attention for its innovative approach to robotics. While the financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed, it's confirmed that Fauna's team, including its co-founders, will be relocating to Amazon's New York City office. An Amazon representative expressed enthusiasm for Fauna's commitment to creating safe, engaging robots, stating, "We are excited about Fauna’s vision to build capable, safe, and fun robots for everyone." This acquisition aligns with Amazon's strategy to leverage its extensive experience in robotics and customer trust within the home environment, aiming to develop innovative solutions that enhance customer lives. Earlier this year, Fauna launched its first product, the bipedal robot named Sprout, which weighs 59 pounds and is currently being distributed to select research and development partners. This acquisition marks Amazon's second foray into robotics within a month, as the company also recently acquired Rivr, a Zurich-based startup known for its autonomous stair-climbing delivery robot. The details surrounding the Rivr deal have not been revealed either, indicating a continued investment in the robotics sector by Amazon.