Amazon unveils AI smart glasses for its delivery drivers

the amazon announcement on Wednesday that it is developing AI-powered smart glasses for delivery drivers. The idea behind the glasses is to give delivery drivers a hands-free experience that reduces the need to search between their phone, the package they’re delivering, and their surroundings.

The e-commerce giant said the glasses will allow delivery drivers to scan packages, follow turn-by-turn directions and capture proof of delivery, all without using their phones. The glasses use AI-powered sensing capabilities and cameras as well as computer vision to create a display that includes obstacles and delivery tasks.

Amazon likely hopes the new glasses will stop delivery drivers making every delivery time by providing detailed directions and information about hazards directly within their line of sight.

When a driver parks at a delivery location, Amazon says the glasses are automatically activated. The glasses help the driver locate the package inside the vehicle and then navigate to the delivery address. Glasses can provide easy-to-follow directions in places like multi-unit apartment complexes and business locations.

The glasses are paired with a controller worn in the delivery vest that contains operational controls, a swappable battery and a dedicated emergency button.

Amazon notes that the glasses also support prescription lenses and transitional lenses that automatically adjust to light.

The retailer is currently testing the glasses with delivery drivers in North America and plans to refine the technology before a wider rollout.

The announcement doesn’t come as a surprise, as Reuters reported Last year, Amazon was working on smart glasses.

In the future, Amazon says the glasses will be able to provide drivers with “real-time error detection” that can notify them if they’ve left a package at the wrong address. The glasses will be able to detect pets in yards and automatically adjust to hazards such as low light conditions

Also on Wednesday, Amazon unveiled a new robotic arm called “Blue Jay” that can work alongside warehouse workers to pick and sort items from shelves. Additionally, the tech giant announced a new AI tool called Eluna that will help provide operational insights to Amazon warehouses.