Amazon will create a new development centre for its autonomous delivery technology, Scout, in Helsinki, Finland.
Initially, the new team will consist of over two dozen engineers, and will be dedicated to R&D for its fully electric self-driving delivery service that currently operates in the U.S.
Working closely with R&D teams in Cambridge, UK, Seattle, U.S. and Tübingen, Germany, the engineers aim to develop 3D software to simulate the complexity of real life and ensure Scout can safely navigate around obstacles while making deliveries.
In a blog post Amazon, said: “We invest in our local communities by creating new jobs, building philanthropic partnerships, and reducing the impact of climate change on future generations by building a sustainable business.
“From the local jobs we bring, to the local people we employ, train, and upskill—our business is made up of people from the communities in which we operate. Across Europe, Amazon is creating thousands of quality jobs and investing billions in local economies. We created 20,000 jobs in 2020, growing our employee population to more than 135,000 across 15 European countries.”
The Amazon Scout team in Helsinki will grow over time, with the company currently hiring engineers who specialise in robotics and autonomous systems technology.