Kiwibot

Kiwibot's journey began in 2017, not in a garage, but on the vibrant campus of the University of California, Berkeley. Founded by Felipe Chavez, Sergio Pachón, and David Rodríguez, a trio of Colombian entrepreneurs, the vision was clear: to revolutionize last-mile delivery. Their initial foray, under the SkyDeck Program, saw the first Kiwibot make its pioneering delivery, marking the genesis of what would become a significant player in autonomous delivery. The early days were characterized by rapid iteration and learning. The co-founders, driven by the ambition to make delivery more accessible and sustainable, started by building robots for as little as $80, though these early prototypes were a far cry from the sophisticated machines they operate today. This spirit of hands-on innovation and a relentless pursuit of a more efficient delivery model propelled them forward.

The company, initially known as Kiwi Campus, quickly expanded its horizons beyond Berkeley. They identified a niche in serving university campuses, a complex but controlled environment ideal for honing their robotic technology and operations. This strategy proved successful, with Kiwibot establishing a presence on numerous college campuses across the United States. Their distinctive, cute robots with digitally animated eyes became a familiar sight, navigating sidewalks to deliver food and other goods. The company's growth wasn't without challenges; a battery fire incident in 2018 led to a temporary switch to human couriers and undoubtedly provided valuable lessons in safety and hardware reliability. Despite such hurdles, Kiwibot's fleet grew, and so did its capabilities, with human operators in Medellín, Colombia, initially monitoring and assisting the robots, particularly in complex situations like street crossings. Over time, the company has focused on increasing the autonomy of its robots, leveraging AI, GPS, and advanced sensors. Recent strategic moves, including the acquisition of AUTO Mobility Solutions to enhance their tech stack and a rebrand to Robot.com in May 2025, signal an expanded ambition to tackle automation across various industries beyond just campus delivery, including warehouse logistics and mobile advertising. From its first burrito delivery to completing over a million robotic tasks, Kiwibot's narrative is one of persistent innovation, strategic adaptation, and a bold vision for a future where robotic delivery is an integral part of daily life.