Q&A: How Physical AI Is Powering a New Era of Last-Mile Delivery

Veho is proud to partner with RIVR as they pilot parcel delivery robots in the U.S. Together, we’re launching a pilot in Austin, Texas to explore how technology can transform the final 100 yards of the delivery journey—enhancing efficiency while maintaining the high-quality service our customers expect.

RIVR sat down with Garrick Pohl, Veho’s Vice President of New Initiatives, to talk about the partnership, what’s being tested, and what it means for the future of e-commerce logistics.

Q: What’s at the core of this partnership between RIVR and Veho?

Garrick Pohl: At Veho, we’ve always focused on improving delivery for the people who matter most—brands, consumers, and drivers. This partnership is about enhancing that experience by introducing technology that helps people do more, not replacing them.

With RIVR’s robots, we’re exploring how automation can support our driver-partners on the ground—making routes more efficient, reducing physical strain, and helping us maintain the high-quality delivery experience our customers expect.

Q: What exactly is being tested in Austin?

Garrick: We’re deploying RIVR’s wheeled-legged robots to work alongside human driver-partners. While a driver completes one delivery, the robot completes another—navigating real-world environments like stairs, gates, and uneven sidewalks to reach the doorstep.

During the pilot, RIVR teams will accompany the robots to ensure safety and performance while gathering real-world data. The robot uses the Veho app to document deliveries just like a human would, including photo proof and customized drop-off instructions.

Q: Why is now the right time to introduce robotics into last-mile delivery?

Garrick: E-commerce volumes are only going up, and the last mile remains the most complex and costly part of the journey—especially the final few meters from the vehicle to the doorstep.

Traditional automation like sidewalk robots or drones has limitations. But RIVR’s robots—thanks to their Physical AI and design—can handle the complexity of urban routes at scale. That makes them a meaningful solution, not just a novelty.

Q: Why did Veho choose to partner with RIVR specifically?

Garrick: There’s strong alignment between our two companies. Veho’s delivery platform is built in-house, which gives us the speed and flexibility to integrate new technology like RIVR’s seamlessly.

From a capabilities standpoint, RIVR is solving problems that other robotics companies haven’t. Your robots can climb stairs, operate in parallel with humans, and move at a speed and throughput that makes dense multi-drop delivery actually viable. That’s rare—and it’s what makes this so exciting.

Q: What does success look like for this deployment?

Garrick: We’re looking at a few key outcomes: Can we reduce physical strain on driver partners? Can we improve delivery efficiency and speed? Can we keep—or even improve—the delivery experience for customers?

This first deployment could lead to real gains in delivery performance, cost efficiency, and driver well-being. It’s a rare win-win-win, and we’re excited to see where it takes us.

Q: What's next?

Garrick: Austin is just the beginning. We'll be learning from every delivery, gathering insights from our teams on the ground, and refining how humans and robots work together.

This partnership reflects a broader belief we share with RIVR: that the future of logistics is human-centered—and that automation, when thoughtfully applied, can help us get there faster.