Amazon acquires Sprout humanoid robot-maker to expand into home tech

Amazon has acquired Fauna Robotics, a New York-based startup known for developing Sprout, a compact humanoid robot designed for home use. The acquisition integrates Fauna’s team of about 50 engineers into Amazon’s Personal Robotics Group, signaling the company’s strategic shift from warehouse automation toward consumer-focused robotics. Sprout, standing 3.5 feet tall and weighing around 50 pounds, is built for light household tasks such as picking up small objects and moving around rooms, emphasizing approachability and everyday utility rather than heavy industrial work. Financial terms were not disclosed, and Fauna will continue to operate under its own name while focusing on new consumer robotics innovations from its New York base. Sprout was initially launched as a developer platform for research labs and organizations exploring home robotics, with early adopters including Disney. Its software accessibility and smaller size make it suitable for real-world testing and experimentation outside factory environments. Amazon’s acquisition of Fauna Robotics complements its broader robotics portfolio, which includes over a million warehouse