Amazon unveils AI smart glasses for its delivery drivers

Amazon announced on Wednesday said it is developing AI-powered smart glasses for its delivery drivers. The idea behind the glasses is to give delivery drivers a hands-free experience that minimizes the need to look at their phone, the package they’re delivering, and their surroundings.

The e-commerce giant says the glasses will allow delivery drivers to scan packages, follow turn-by-turn directions, and capture proof of delivery without using their phones. The glasses use AI-powered sensing capabilities and computer vision along with cameras to create a display that includes things like threats and delivery functions.

Amazon presumably hopes the new glasses will reduce the time it takes to make each delivery by providing delivery drivers with detailed directions and information about hazards directly in their line of sight.

When a driver parks the car at a delivery location, Amazon says the glasses activate automatically. The glasses help the driver locate the package inside the vehicle and then navigate to the delivery address. The glasses can provide easy-to-follow directions in places like multi-unit apartment complexes and commercial locations.

The glasses are paired with a controller worn on a delivery vest that has operational controls, a swappable battery, and a dedicated emergency button.

Amazon notes that the glasses also support prescription lenses and transitional lenses that automatically adjust to the light.

The retailer is currently testing the glasses with delivery drivers in North America and plans to refine the technology before a wider rollout.

This announcement is not a surprise Reuters reported Last year, Amazon was working on smart glasses.

Amazon says that in the future the glasses will be able to provide drivers with “real-time fault detection” that can notify them if they accidentally drop off a package at the wrong address. The glasses will also be able to detect pets in the yard and automatically adjust to hazards such as low light conditions.

Also on Wednesday, Amazon unveiled a new robotic arm called “Blue Jay” that can work with warehouse workers to pick items from shelves and sort them. Additionally, the tech giant announced a new AI tool called Aluna that will help provide operational insights into Amazon warehouses.