In a bid to shave seconds off deliveries, Amazon will soon force its delivery drivers to wear smart glasses.
The futuristic glasses use artificial intelligence (AI) to feed drivers turn–by–turn directions leading up to customers’ doorsteps.
They’re also fitted with cameras so drivers can scan packages and capture proof of delivery.
Amazon claims the dystopian device will make deliveries ‘as safe and seamless as possible’.
However, it seems not everyone agrees.
Taking to X, several users have raised concerns that the glasses are the first step towards replacing human drivers with robots.
‘Perfect to train humanoid robots to do the task. You can replace people when AI is trained well enough,’ one user tweeted.
Another added: ‘Gathering training data for the robots that will replace them in 5 years.’
In a bid to shave seconds off deliveries, Amazon will soon force its delivery drivers to wear smart glasses
The futuristic glasses use artificial intelligence ( AI ) to feed drivers turn–by–turn directions leading up to customers’ doorsteps
Currently, Amazon’s drivers – also known as Delivery Associates (DAs) – rely on their smartphones for directions, scanning packages, and snapping photos to prove that packages have been delivered.
However, Amazon hopes the smart glasses will offer DAs a hands–free alternative.
Using a combination of AI and cameras, the glasses feature a heads–up display, where drivers can see everything from navigation details to delivery tasks.
When they arrive outside a customer’s address, the glasses automatically activate.
‘The DA is given their delivery information—right in their field of view—starting with locating the right packages inside their vehicles to the corresponding homes,’ Amazon explained.
Once the right package has been identified, the heads-up display then offers directions to the front door.
The glasses sync up with a small controller worn on the driver’s vest, which contains controls, a swappable battery, and an emergency button.
‘The glasses also support prescription lenses along with transitional lenses that automatically adjust to light,’ Amazon added.
Amazon claims the dystopian device will make deliveries ‘as safe and seamless as possible’
The glasses sync up with a small controller worn on the driver’s vest, which contains controls, a swappable battery, and an emergency button
So far, the glasses have been tested with hundreds of DAs, including Kaleb M, who works in Nebraska.
‘I felt safer the whole time because the glasses have the info right in my field of view,’ he said.
‘Instead of having to look down at a phone, you can keep your eyes forward and look past the display—you’re always focused on what’s ahead.’
Speaking to BBC News, Beryl Tomay, Amazon’s vice president of Transportation, estimated the glasses could save drivers up to 30 minutes per 10-hour shift.
However, several users on X have raised concerns for the future.
‘If your company is making you wear these, your days are numbered,’ one user tweeted.
Another added: ‘We are entering that zone where dystopia could arrive very quickly with the new tools being developed. Lets hope for the best I suppose.’
And one vented: ‘We get closer and closer to dystopia everyday.’
