Amazon is shutting down tests of its home delivery robot, the latest sign that the e-commerce company is starting to wind down experimental projects amid slowing sales growth.
Work on Scout, an autonomous machine launched about three years ago, has already been halted, according to a source.
Amazon spokeswoman Alisa Carroll said the Scout team was being disbanded and would be offered new jobs in the organisation.
About 400 people were working on the project globally, according to the sources. A skeleton crew will continue to consider the idea of an autonomous robot, but the current iteration isn’t working.
“During our Scout limited field test, we worked to create a unique delivery experience, but learnt through feedback that there were aspects of the programme that weren’t meeting customers’ needs,” Ms Carroll said. “As a result, we are ending our field tests and reorienting the programme. We are working with employees during this transition, matching them to open roles that best fit their experience and skills.”
The Seattle-based company began testing the cooler-sized bots on suburban sidewalks outside Seattle in 2019, before expanding the trials to Southern California, Georgia and Tennessee. The slow-moving devices, accompanied by human minders during tests, were designed to stop at a front door and pop open their lids so a customer could pick up a package. Amazon said the battery-powered robots were part of an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its delivery operations.
Only a few month ago, Amazon was still holding meet-and-greets in communities where it was testing the devices. Sean Scott, the vice president who oversaw the robot’s development, left the company last year, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Under chief executive Andy Jassy, Amazon is adjusting to slowing growth in its core retail group, delaying some investments and pulling the plug on others. The company has a reputation for backing radical experiments that can take years to come to fruition, a roster that includes cashierless stores, flying delivery drones and a satellite constellation that promises to beam internet access around the world.
Amazon is discontinuing Amazon Glow, a kids-focused video calling device. The company has also frozen hiring for its corporate retail teams and is winding down Amazon Care, its start-up telehealth service.
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Federer's 11 Wimbledon finals
2003 Beat Mark Philippoussis
2004 Beat Andy Roddick
2005 Beat Andy Roddick
2006 Beat Rafael Nadal
2007 Beat Rafael Nadal
2008 Lost to Rafael Nadal
2009 Beat Andy Roddick
2012 Beat Andy Murray
2014 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2015 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2017 Beat Marin Cilic
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Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
RESULT
Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
McIlroy's recent struggles
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Arnold Palmer Invitational Tied for 4th (74)
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Irish Open Missed the cut (72)
Huroob Ezterari
Director: Ahmed Moussa
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A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
