Amazon has confirmed that it is developing augmented reality glasses for its delivery personnel. Named “Amelia,” this prototype leverages AI to display instructions and scan packages. While the official aim is to enhance safety and efficiency, it also serves as a new tool for monitoring employees.
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Time Efficiency on the Last Mile
Amazon continues its relentless pursuit of efficiency, now focusing on the “last mile” of delivery. The e-commerce giant has confirmed the development of new augmented reality glasses intended to make delivery work safer and more streamlined by offering a “hands-free” experience. The prototype, code-named “Amelia,” employs AI and computer vision to overlay information directly in the driver’s field of vision. The project is currently being tested by hundreds of delivery drivers across North America.
A Comprehensive Visual Guidance System
The system is not standalone. The glasses are linked to a small controller worn on the delivery person’s vest. This device houses operational controls, a swappable battery that lasts all day, and a dedicated emergency button. The glasses, equipped with two cameras, are also compatible with prescription lenses and transition lenses (which adjust to ambient light). Importantly, Amazon notes that the glasses activate only after the vehicle is parked and automatically turn off during driving for safety reasons.
Scanning, Guiding, and Photographing Hands-Free
Once the vehicle is parked, the glasses display delivery information, help scan the correct packages in the cargo area (highlighting them in green, according to demos), and provide turn-by-turn pedestrian navigation instructions, projecting a virtual path on the ground. Upon reaching the doorstep, the delivery driver no longer needs to pull out a smartphone; instead, they press a button on the vest to take a delivery proof photo. Amazon envisions future enhancements like real-time hazard alerts (such as a dog in the yard) or error detection if a package is left at the wrong address.
What’s the Verdict?
Amazon presents “Amelia” as a tool for safety and efficiency, claiming that it could save up to 30 minutes per route. That’s the official stance. The unofficial view is that this tool also enables employee surveillance. After pushing warehouse workers to their limits with technology, Amazon is extending its monitoring to the “last mile.” These glasses provide a new opportunity to track and monitor every second of a delivery driver’s work, adding even more pressure. It’s also an excellent way for Amazon to test its AR technology in a corporate setting before potentially launching a consumer model to compete with companies like Meta.