Amazon's Smart Glasses for Delivery Drivers
Amazon is developing smart glasses, codenamed "Amelia," to help its delivery drivers navigate more efficiently. These glasses would display step-by-step directions on a tiny screen, guiding drivers through complex buildings and neighborhoods, even around tricky obstacles like gates or dogs. This hands-free approach would allow drivers to carry more packages and deliver them faster, saving valuable time on each stop.
This initiative is part of Amazon's broader effort to reduce delivery costs, especially in the face of increasing competition from companies like Walmart. With millions of packages delivered daily, even shaving off a few seconds per stop can make a significant difference. Amazon's delivery costs reached $23.5 billion last quarter, highlighting the need for efficiency improvements.
The company has already implemented scanners inside delivery vans to help drivers locate packages quickly. The new smart glasses aim to take this a step further by streamlining the "last 100 yards" of the delivery process, from the van to the customer's doorstep.
However, these smart glasses are still in development. Challenges remain, such as creating a battery that lasts a full day without making the glasses bulky or uncomfortable. Additionally, detailed maps of neighborhoods and delivery locations need to be compiled, which could be a time-consuming process.
Another potential hurdle is convincing drivers to wear the glasses. Some may find them uncomfortable or distracting. Amazon may eventually require drivers to wear them, especially considering that many drivers work for third-party companies contracted by Amazon.
These new delivery glasses are an extension of Amazon's earlier Echo Frames, smart glasses that allow users to listen to audio and control Alexa with voice commands. However, Echo Frames haven't gained widespread popularity, with reports suggesting that fewer than 10,000 pairs of the latest model have been sold. Amazon is planning a new version of Echo Frames with a similar screen for release in 2026.
The success of the delivery glasses remains uncertain. If Amazon cannot overcome the technological and logistical challenges, the project could be delayed or even cancelled.