Jeff Bezos bets on AI robotics companies in shocking investment move

In April 2023, Marko Bjelonic, cofounder and CEO of Swiss-Mile, met with Jeff Bezos via a video call to pitch his AI robotics company. This interaction followed Bjelonic's preparation, which involved sending Bezos a detailed document similar to an Amazon 6-Pager to articulate his vision. The meeting, initially set for 30 minutes, extended to an hour, indicating Bezos's genuine interest in the potential of artificial intelligence in robotics. Swiss-Mile is currently testing its early prototypes on the streets of Zurich, highlighting their ambition to drive innovation in the autonomous robotics space. This recent investment pattern indicates Bezos's focus on the next wave of technology after previous ventures into ecommerce, particularly robotics and real estate. The push for advancements in autonomous robots is viewed as a significant leap forward, as these machines have the potential to work alongside humans in various environments, such as hospitals and warehouses. Industry leaders like Bjelonic and Deepak Pathak, cofounder and CEO of Skild AI, believe that the advancements in artificial intelligence are the key to achieving artificial general intelligence, making the current period crucial for AI-powered robotics. Bezos's involvement in this sector is unprecedented, with his firm, Bezos Expeditions, having made multiple investments in this field within a single year. His stake in Swiss-Mile is significant, as he was the lead investor during one of their funding rounds. This not only provides necessary funding for startups but also elevates their credibility within the tech sector, as association with Bezos often attracts further investment opportunities. Furthermore, Amazon's corporate venture capital arm has also shown interest by investing in companies like Figure AI and Skild AI, reflecting the corporation's broader strategy in leveraging automation and robotics for operational advantages. The implications of these movements in investment and technology are substantial. With over 750,000 robots deployed in Amazon's operations, the company is positioned as one of the largest employers of robotic technology. Through these developments, Bezos aims to improve efficiency and lower operational risks associated with hazardous job environments, where human labor has become increasingly scarce due to safety concerns. As the autonomous robotics industry is still in its infancy, the next few years will be pivotal in determining how these technologies are integrated into the workforce and society as a whole.