Amazon is developing AI-powered smart glasses for its delivery drivers. The glasses aim to make deliveries faster and safer by freeing up drivers‘ hands. According to Fortune, the company announced the project in a Wednesday blog post.
How the Glasses Work
The glasses will scan packages and show walking directions on a display. Drivers can document proof of delivery without using their phones. Cameras and AI-powered sensors create an augmented reality display. This display shows hazards and maps that direct drivers to specific building units.
The glasses activate automatically when a driver parks at a delivery location. They support prescription and transition lenses. Future versions will detect if drivers drop packages at wrong addresses. The device will also adjust to low light and detect pets in yards.
Battery and Comfort Concerns
Reuters reported the product’s development last November. Anonymous sources told the outlet the company may struggle to make a battery that lasts a full shift. Shifts can run up to 10 hours. Drivers may also find the devices uncomfortable or distracting. Amazon did not respond to Fortune’s request for comment on battery duration or comfort.
Automation Push Raises Employment Questions
Amazon also announced warehouse technologies on Wednesday. Blue Jay is a robotics system using multiple arms to lift and sort packages. It aims to reduce the need for employees to lift heavy items. Project Eluna is an AI model that monitors dashboards and makes decisions to reduce sorting bottlenecks.
The automation push has sparked concern about job displacement. A New York Times investigation published Tuesday reported Amazon plans to automate 75% of its operations. That translates to roughly 600,000 jobs the company would not need to fill in the future.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the investigation did not accurately reflect hiring strategy. The company recently announced plans to fill 250,000 positions ahead of the holiday season. One Amazon delivery driver made on average 65,700 deliveries in 2024. That equals about 27 deliveries per hour.
Amazon Robotics chief technologist Tye Brady told Fortune in May that automation aims to enhance jobs, not replace them. The company wants to eliminate repetitive tasks so employees can focus on higher-level work.
