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.
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.