Amazon hires the founders of AI robotics startup Covariant

Amazon hires Covariant founders and staff, licenses AI robot models, aiming to improve robotic warehouse operations.

: Amazon has hired Covariant founders Pieter Abbeel, Peter Chen, and Rocky Duan, along with a quarter of Covariant’s employees. The company has also secured a non-exclusive license to use Covariant’s robotic foundation models. Covariant will continue under new leadership, with Ted Stinson as CEO and Tianhao Zhang. This move is similar to Amazon's 'reverse acquihire' strategy with Adept.

Amazon has announced the hiring of Covariant founders Pieter Abbeel, Peter Chen, and Rocky Duan, along with approximately a quarter of the startup's employees. The tech giant also signed a non-exclusive license to utilize Covariant's robotic foundation models, which focus on AI for robotic arms to perform common warehouse tasks like bin picking.

Joseph Quinlivan, Vice President of Amazon Fulfillment Technologies & Robotics, emphasized that integrating Covariant’s AI technology into Amazon’s robot fleet will enhance performance and provide real-world value for customers. This approach appears similar to Amazon's previous 'reverse acquihire' deal with the AI startup Adept, aimed at acquiring talent and technology while navigating antitrust scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Covariant will continue its operations under the leadership of Ted Stinson as the newly appointed CEO and Tianhao Zhang. The company remains dedicated to deploying its Covariant Brain AI technology across various industries such as apparel, health and beauty, grocery, and pharmaceuticals.

CovariantReverse acquihirerobotics