Amazon introduces an adorable humanoid to its collection of robots.

      Amazon has acquired Fauna Robotics, a company based in New York City, only a few months after the introduction of its friendly humanoid robot, Sprout.

      While specific details regarding the acquisition have not been disclosed, Fauna’s CEO, Rob Cochran, expressed his enthusiasm in a LinkedIn post on Tuesday, stating he was “incredibly excited” about the news.

      Cochran reflected on the company’s journey since its inception in NYC in February 2024, noting their clear mission to “build capable, safe, and fun robots for everyone.” He expressed pride in the accomplishments of his team over the past two years.

      So, what does this acquisition imply for Sprout, the humanoid robot designed to operate safely in environments shared with humans?

      Cochran assured customers that they will continue to sell the Sprout Creator Edition robots to new clients and will maintain support for existing customers.

      “The work we’re doing together remains unchanged,” said the CEO, affirming that the company will still “operate as Fauna Robotics, an Amazon company.”

      Over the years, Amazon has invested billions in robotics technology, focusing primarily on warehouse automation and logistics. With Fauna now part of its operations, Amazon aims to utilize the expertise of Fauna’s engineers to enhance its technology further.

      In a widely reported statement, Amazon expressed, “Combining Amazon’s robotics expertise and years of earning customer trust through our retail and devices businesses, we look forward to innovating new ways to enhance our customers’ lives.”

      Founded two years ago, Fauna Robotics launched Sprout as its first product in January.

      Priced at $50,000, the 3.5-foot-tall humanoid robot is aimed at various sectors, including retail and hospitality, where it can engage with customers, display products, and guide people. Sprout is designed with custom voices, gestures, and movements to act as “a friendly concierge for the home.” It bears some resemblance to SoftBank’s Pepper robot, which was discontinued in 2021 after a lackluster reception.

      Sprout also includes a developer platform for creating custom applications, catering to researchers interested in advancing AI development in locomotion, manipulation, and interactive behaviors, and it provides learning opportunities for students fascinated by technology.