Although Amazon is not usually the first company that comes to mind when talking about the future of mobility, the company is taking steps to make inroads into the industry. One of the first notable actions in this regard was the investment in Rivian, a US startup that has developed an electric delivery vehicle for Amazon. The company aims to have 100,000 electric vehicles in its fleet by 2030 and to phase out diesel vehicles. In addition to its investment in Rivian, Amazon has also invested in Aurora, a company that focuses on logistics and mobility as a service, and acquired the startup Zoox, which is developing an autonomous robotaxi.
To support its efforts in the mobility industry, Amazon has developed an in-vehicle software platform called Amazon Auto, which allows developers to integrate apps into Alexa for use in vehicles. This platform has been used to offer services such as parking search and navigation, as well as to control vehicle heating.
Taken together, these efforts by Amazon seem scattered at first glance, but they are actually part of a long-term strategy to innovate and transform the mobility industry, with a focus on sustainability and efficiency. While some of these plans are still in the testing phase, Amazon has taken significant steps to expand its transportation offerings beyond package delivery. While it is not yet known exactly how much Amazon is willing to invest in these technologies or to what extent they may pose a threat to the automotive industry, the company is poised to reshape the future of transportation. Ultimately, it may one day be possible to order a cab from Amazon.