Amazon is developing smart glasses to help guide its drivers and shave seconds off delivery times

[midian182]

Forward-looking: Amazon, a company infamous for pushing its workers so hard and for so long that they go on strike and (allegedly) urinate in bottles, is said to be developing smart glasses for their delivery drivers. The devices provide the drivers with turn-by-turn navigation to their delivery addresses, thereby shaving some seconds off their times, improving productivity, and further crushing the employees' spirits.

The AR glasses are part of Amazon's efforts toward increasing efficiency when it comes to the last 100 yards of deliveries, writes Reuters. Based on Amazon's existing Echo Frames – smart glasses with integrated Alexa – the drivers' version includes an embedded display rather than being audio-only.

Codenamed "Amelia," the glasses are able to provide more precise directions while driving and on foot. They're said to work inside buildings, so they could, for example, instruct wearers to turn left or right when they leave an elevator, and even direct users around obstacles such as gates or aggressive dogs. Amazon is also looking at embedding a camera into the glasses so the drivers can take photos as proof of delivery more quickly.

Being able to find a delivery point (and potentially avoid being bitten) will doubtlessly be something that drivers will appreciate, but not having to carry a handheld GPS means they will be expected to carry even more packages. Also, Amazon could use the glasses' time-saving abilities as an excuse to increase drivers' stops per hour target – they currently visit more than 100 customers per shift.

The project could be scrapped or delayed indefinitely if the glasses fail to work as intended or they end up costing more than the money they might save.

Amazon Echo Frames

Even if the glasses do go ahead, it could take years to perfect. Amazon is currently struggling to make a battery for the wearable that can last a full eight-hour shift and is still light enough to wear all day without causing fatigue. The company also needs to gather data on each house, sidewalk, street, curb and driveway, which could take years, said people familiar with the project.

The embedded screen in project Amelia might make its way to a future generation of Echo Frames that could release as soon as the second quarter of 2026. Sales of the consumer wearable have been disappointing, with fewer than 10,000 units of the current third generation being sold since their release late in 2023. Complaints include the lack of a charging case, less than stellar audio, and Alexa not being the best assistant while you're on the go.

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Amazon is developing smart glasses to help guide its drivers and shave seconds off delivery times

 

[Dimitriid]

This is just a terrible idea. First we don't know what the glasses would suggest I.e. 'Toddlers and Children up to the age of 9 are unlikely to significantly reduce your speed on a head on collision just plow them over and continue' comes to mind because hey, more efficient. Even if it isn't as extreme I'm sure people will be delighted to suddenly have their quiet neighborhood streets busy with Amazon drivers at all hours because guess what? The glasses would suggest some creative shorcuts. Speeding through yellow lights, slowing up traffic for everybody else while these trucks get suggested to change lines constantly, you name it.

Second and the more difficult question is who *really* cares if you get even all of your deliveries seconds faster? I know none of the consumers do. I can even venture to say that even if Amazon pays bonuses/measures productivity by the second (A monumentally exploitative measure but I've seen it done on call center employees for example so it does happen) it would still probably amount to at the most like 10-20 bucks per month extra to the driver.

It's not until you get on Amazon level and aggregate drivers all around the world when a few less seconds per trip will translate into several months or even years worth of time saved and hence a bit more efficiency has been squeezed out of deliveries, the price is simply whatever terrible suggestions for safety and traffic for others the glasses make.

 

[VitalyT]

Because delivery people have plenty of money, to spend on expensive gadgets.

Someone in Amazon has been smoking weed fresh.

 

[Jim Lahey]

I mean it’s a cynical take in the article,and worthy of scrutiny, however they could also be rather helpful compared to walking around with your phone/device out.

I know when I’m searching for an unfamiliar urban address, downtown and the gps isn’t working right, it’s like I’m on Star Trek and my tricorder is malfunctioning!!

 

[andyross]

If anyone saw the recent Doctor Who episode "Dot and Bubble," you know where this is going. Delivery drivers who can't walk anywhere without being told: Forward, Forward, Right, Forward, Left. And walk right into the hungry slug...

 

[kiwigraeme]

Really need to implant them with Elons Neural link and give them a dopamine hit for every delivery, monitor blood energy levels for speed ( methamphetamine , legitimate legal use, 20 year prison if use it to stay awake to see their kids ) hit.
Amazon already sells adult diapers so they should get those for free, one every 18 hour shift

Good times - the next 4 years workers can't F around, turn the whole country Red, with better outcomes across the board for the Corporates - can still export the good stuff to the communist middle classes in Europe etc

Can't follow the american dream, but big pharma , and big prison has a place for you
Need to be like american mammal farms , huge hectares of sheds, fed on fattening crap, drugged to gills and fleeced with early deaths ( just like red states who lose on nearly every statistic )

Remember mental issues are only a highly profitable drug away from a solution - more profit and your complete loss of self respect as you cry in the corner wetting yourself uncontrollable while on 24 hour camera for suicide watch ( what actually happens in USA )

Keep running in even darker mazes , prodded and poke to find happiness that only money can bring , the longer you work the more endless soulless maze you can run.

Remember not only do you not want to weaken the blood, but work sets you free .
USA equals Freedom
You are not Vassals of the Corporations you are living the dream

You don't get it Kiwi we are free , we don't have to eat corn syrup , drink mountain dew, work in jobs with few rules and protections, wear seat belts , we don't have to visit a hospital or have affordable insurance - we have freedom - hell yeah

Sorry your argument is compelling , keep on running

 

[Underdog]

It never ceases to amaze me what measures employers will take to squeeze the last bit of profit out of an employee.