Smart glasses are revolutionising the way Amazon delivers packages, potentially saving drivers up to 30 minutes during each 8 to 10-hour shift by reducing repetitive tasks and helping them locate packages more efficiently. The technology supports safe, same-day delivery throughout the week and can operate continuously for up to eight hours before requiring a recharge.
Furthermore, Amazon’s delivery technology innovation extends far beyond smart glasses. In fact, the company currently employs more than a million robots worldwide to move shelves and parcels around its fulfilment centres. Additionally, hundreds of delivery drivers have already tested the Amazon smart glasses along their routes, with Amazon transportation vice president Beryl Tomay noting that the technology helps drivers “stay at attention, which enhances their safety”. This delivery technology represents just one component of Amazon’s broader technological strategy, which has also included distributing over 800,000 relief items during 17 natural disasters across Australia.
Amazon Unveils Smart Glasses
In a major advancement in logistics technology, Amazon recently revealed that it is creating AI-powered smart glasses specifically for its delivery drivers. These wearable devices aim to improve the delivery experience by creating a more streamlined, hands-free process for drivers.
What are the Amelia Smart Glasses?
The Amelia smart glasses feature a built-in camera and display that work together with AI-powered sensing capabilities and computer vision technology. Specifically designed for delivery use cases, the glasses come with a small controller worn in the driver’s delivery vest that houses operational controls, a swappable battery system ensuring all-day use, and a dedicated emergency button.
The glasses support prescription lenses as well as transitional lenses that adjust automatically to changing light conditions. Moreover, they include a hardware switch on the controller that allows drivers to turn off the glasses and all sensors, including the camera and microphone, providing privacy control when needed.
Glasses and Delivery Workflows
When drivers safely park at a delivery location, the glasses automatically activate to display delivery information directly in their field of view. This heads-up display shows everything from navigation details to potential hazards and delivery tasks.
Consequently, drivers can locate and scan packages, follow turn-by-turn walking directions to the exact delivery location, and capture photographic proof of delivery—all without needing to reference their smartphones. The system particularly excels in complex environments such as apartment buildings, where it guides drivers safely to destinations using Amazon’s geospatial technology.
Initial Testing Across North America
Amazon is currently testing the smart glasses “at a number of locations with over a dozen delivery service partners and hundreds of drivers across the country,” according to Beryl Tomay, Amazon’s vice president of Transportation. Drivers “have been doing real deliveries with these” to actual customers, providing crucial feedback that has shaped everything from the glasses’ comfort for all-day use to display clarity.
Throughout testing, Amazon has observed that the glasses can create efficiencies of up to 30 minutes per 8- to 10-hour shift by minimising repetitive tasks and helping drivers quickly locate packages in their vehicles. While still experimental, Amazon plans to eventually make the smart glasses available first to drivers in North America, followed by a global rollout.
Smart Glasses Cut Delivery Times by 40%
Amazon’s delivery drivers have reported significant time reductions through the application of innovative smart glasses. These AI-powered devices have demonstrated the potential to reduce delivery times by up to 40%, with Amazon reporting time savings of approximately 30 minutes per shift among testing drivers.
Turn-by-Turn Navigation and Hazard Detection
The smart glasses utilise Amazon’s geospatial technology to provide precise walking directions directly in the driver’s line of sight. Upon safely parking at a delivery location, the glasses automatically activate and display turn-by-turn navigation to guide drivers to the exact delivery spot. This feature proves especially valuable in complex environments, such as apartment buildings, where locating the correct door can be challenging.
Alongside navigation, the smart glasses actively identify potential hazards along delivery routes. The system alerts drivers to obstacles, aggressive dogs, or complex pathways, enabling them to maintain constant awareness of their surroundings. If hazards appear, the glasses instantly adapt the suggested route to ensure safe delivery.
Hands-Free Scanning and Proof of Delivery
Perhaps the most notable efficiency gain comes from the hands-free functionality. Rather than juggling packages whilst checking phones, drivers can:
- Locate and scan the correct packages inside their vehicles
- Follow delivery instructions through the heads-up display
- Capture proof-of-delivery photos using the two front-facing cameras
This seamless process eliminates the constant need to shift attention between devices and parcels. Upon reaching the delivery point, drivers simply tap a controller mounted on their vest to capture photos confirming delivery.
Driver Feedback on Safety and Efficiency
Hundreds of delivery associates tested early versions of the smart glasses and provided critical insights that shaped both design and functionality. Kaleb M., a delivery associate from Nebraska, reported, “I felt safer the whole time because the glasses have the info right in my field of view. 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”.
The technology was developed with input from drivers at every stage of development. The system includes a small controller worn on the delivery vest containing operational controls, a swappable battery ensuring all-day use, and a dedicated emergency button for accessing emergency services if needed.
Amazon Expands AI and Robotics to Support Delivery Technology
Beyond smart glasses, Amazon continues to advance its broader technology ecosystem through innovations in robotics and AI, particularly in warehouses. The company recently unveiled Blue Jay, a next-generation robotic system that coordinates multiple arms to perform picking, stowing, and consolidating tasks simultaneously.
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Blue Jay Robotic Arm Reduces Warehouse Injuries
Blue Jay effectively consolidates three separate robotic stations into a single, streamlined workspace. This ceiling-mounted system helps employees work in their ergonomic “power zone,” subsequently reducing repetitive reaching and lifting that can lead to injuries. Currently being tested in South Carolina, Blue Jay can handle approximately 75% of the items Amazon stores at its sites. The robotic arm enables employees to transition from physically demanding tasks to higher-value work, such as quality control and inspection.
Project Eluna Optimises Warehouse Operations
Alongside Blue Jay, Amazon has developed Project Eluna, an agentic AI system designed to act with a degree of autonomy. This digital tool processes real-time and historical data from across facilities, providing insights in natural language. Initially being piloted at a fulfilment centre in Tennessee, Project Eluna helps operators make better decisions by anticipating bottlenecks.
AI-Driven Systems Anticipate Bottlenecks.
Operations teams can now ask questions like “Where should we shift people to avoid a bottleneck?” and receive clear, data-backed recommendations. Despite concerns about automation, Amazon claims that these systems create safer work environments by enabling smarter and faster decision-making. The company’s natural language robotics interfaces likewise reduce deployment complexity and accelerate warehouse automation adoption.
What’s Next for Amazon’s Rollout of Delivery Technology?
Following the successful completion of North American trials, Amazon has outlined ambitious plans for its delivery-enhancing smart glasses. The company intends to gradually introduce the technology to international markets, with European distribution centres expected to receive the first units by early 2026.
Planned Global Expansion of Smart Glasses
Amazon’s roadmap includes a phased rollout across major markets in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and South America. The expansion will prioritise urban centres with high delivery volumes, where efficiency gains would be most significant. Currently, executive teams are conducting feasibility studies in densely populated metropolitan areas to determine infrastructure requirements and training needs.
Optional Adoption by Delivery Partners
Unlike some technological implementations, Amazon will not mandate the adoption of smart glasses across its entire delivery network. Instead, the company has developed a flexible partnership model that allows delivery service partners to opt in based on their operational needs. This approach acknowledges the varying scales and circumstances of Amazon’s global logistics partners, offering them technological support without imposing additional costs.
Potential Consumer Applications in the Future
Beyond logistics applications, Amazon is exploring how the underlying technology might benefit everyday consumers. Although still in early conceptual stages, potential consumer versions could integrate with Amazon’s existing ecosystem of products. These adaptations may include shopping assistance features, navigation capabilities, and accessibility tools that utilise the same AI-powered visual recognition systems currently assisting delivery drivers. Nevertheless, the company emphasises that logistics optimisation remains the primary focus for the immediate future.
Conclusion – Amazon Smart Glasses
Amazon’s smart glasses represent a significant advancement in logistics technology for delivery. The AI-powered eyewear enables drivers to scan packages, follow navigation instructions, and capture delivery confirmation photos without needing to check their phones constantly. Consequently, this hands-free approach has demonstrated impressive results, cutting delivery times by up to 40% and saving approximately 30 minutes per shift.
Beyond efficiency gains, safety benefits emerge as equally noteworthy. Drivers maintain awareness of their surroundings while receiving alerts about potential hazards along their routes. The technology works in conjunction with Amazon’s broader technological ecosystem, which now includes sophisticated robotics systems, such as Blue Jay, and AI tools, like Project Eluna. These innovations help reduce warehouse injuries and optimise operations throughout the supply chain.
Overall, Amazon’s smart glasses showcase how thoughtful technology application can address complex logistics challenges while enhancing worker safety. As these systems evolve and expand globally, they are poised to reshape delivery expectations across the retail sector.
How do Amazon’s smart glasses improve delivery efficiency?
Amazon’s smart glasses can help drivers cut delivery times by up to 40% by providing hands-free package scanning, turn-by-turn navigation, and automatic proof of delivery capture. This technology saves drivers approximately 30 minutes per 8 to 10-hour shift.
What safety features do the smart glasses offer?
The glasses enhance driver safety by displaying delivery information directly in their field of vision, alerting them to potential hazards such as obstacles or aggressive dogs, and allowing them to keep their eyes forward while accessing important information.
Can the smart glasses be used with prescription lenses?
Yes, Amazon’s smart glasses are designed to support both prescription lenses and transitional lenses that automatically adjust to changing light conditions, ensuring comfort and usability for all drivers.
How long can the smart glasses operate before they need to be recharged?
The smart glasses can operate continuously for up to eight hours before requiring a recharge, thanks to a swappable battery system housed in the controller worn in the driver’s delivery vest.
Will Amazon make the smart glasses available to all delivery partners?
Amazon plans to offer the smart glasses as an optional technology for its delivery partners. The company will gradually roll out the technology globally, starting with North America, followed by expansions to Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and South America.