Amazon to Enhance Delivery Speed with New Smart Glasses “Amelia”

Key Information

• Amazon is creating a pair of smart glasses, referred to internally as “Amelia,” designed to enhance the navigation capabilities of delivery drivers and expedite the package locating process.
• These glasses will feature a small screen that shows turn-by-turn navigation, alerting drivers to possible obstacles such as gates and dogs, potentially reducing delivery times by several seconds.
• The initiative faces obstacles including battery longevity, the necessity for driver acceptance, and the collection of detailed mapping data, with no set timeline for launch.

In a bid to enhance operational efficiency and curb costs in the final phase of delivery, Amazon is embarking on developing smart glasses tailored for delivery personnel. The focus is on optimizing the essential “last mile” in logistics, a stage where more than 50% of delivery expenses are typically spent.

According to Reuters, the innovative smart glasses, known by the codename “Amelia,” are set to transform the navigation experience for delivery drivers. These glasses will project turn-by-turn instructions directly onto a small integrated display, assisting drivers in maneuvering through neighborhoods and buildings while signaling potential hazards like gates or unfriendly dogs.

This endeavor is a continuation of Amazon’s recent launch of the Vision Assisted Package Retrieval (VAPR) system, which utilizes AI technology to aid drivers in identifying packages within their delivery vans. The VAPR system marks packages due for immediate delivery with green circles and those designated for later stops with red X’s, thereby streamlining delivery operations and potentially cutting down route times by up to 30 minutes.

By integrating these smart glasses, drivers can do away with handheld GPS devices, allowing them to carry more packages concurrently. While the time savings per delivery may appear marginal, the cumulative effect is substantial when considering the vast volume of deliveries Amazon processes each day.

Nonetheless, this initiative has several significant challenges. Amazon needs to create a lightweight battery capable of lasting an entire eight-hour shift, gather thorough mapping information for various delivery locations, and persuade drivers to embrace this new technology. These factors could lead to potential delays or even halt the project’s advancement.

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