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Amazon's delivery robot lands a new development center

The Amazon Scout will learn how to better avoid real-world obstacles.

Headshot of Dashia Milden
Headshot of Dashia Milden
Dashia Milden Editor
Dashia is the consumer insights editor for CNET. She specializes in data-driven analysis and news at the intersection of tech, personal finance and consumer sentiment. Dashia investigates economic shifts and everyday challenges to help readers make well-informed decisions, and she covers a range of topics, including technology, security, energy and money. Dashia graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She loves baking, teaching spinning and spending time with her family.
Dashia Milden
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The Amazon Scout will get some help from a new development center in Finland. 

 Ben Fox Rubin/CNET

Look out -- you may soon see Amazon's delivery robot at your door. 

Amazon is adding more development and research support towards the Amazon Scout, the company's autonomous delivery robot. The Scout headed south last year for testing in Georgia and Tennessee. Now, it's getting its own development center in Helsinki, starting with more than 20 engineers. 

"Amazon Scout devices are inherently safe, the size of a small cooler, and roll along sidewalks at a walking pace. Amazon Scout currently delivers packages to customers in four locations across the US," Amazon's team announced in a blog post on Thursday.

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The team in Finland will work closely with Amazon's research labs in the US, UK and Germany to "develop 3D software to simulate the complexity of real life and ensure Scout can safely navigate around obstacles while making deliveries," the company said. 

Amazon plans to continue to create jobs across 15 European countries. The tech giant is currently hiring engineers for the Helsinki development center and plans to add more roles in the future.