Amazon is testing AI-powered smart glasses to help delivery drivers work hands-free

Amazon

Amazon has revealed that it is developing AI-enabled smart glasses designed specifically for its delivery drivers. The device aims to provide a fully hands-free experience, reducing the need for drivers to constantly switch between their phones, packages, and surroundings during deliveries.

The smart glasses use a combination of computer vision, on-board cameras, and AI-powered sensing to project contextual information into the driver’s field of view. This includes package details, walking directions, hazard alerts, and delivery confirmations. Drivers can use the glasses to scan parcels, follow turn-by-turn navigation, and capture proof of delivery without touching their phones.

According to Amazon, the system automatically activates when a driver parks at a delivery location. The glasses then help locate the right parcel inside the vehicle and guide the driver to the recipient’s doorstep. The company claims this feature could be especially useful in large apartment complexes or multi-unit business sites where locating the exact address can be time-consuming.

Each pair of glasses connects to a compact controller integrated into the delivery vest, which houses operational buttons, a replaceable battery, and an emergency alert switch. The design also supports prescription and adaptive transition lenses that adjust automatically to different lighting conditions.

Amazon is currently trialling the smart glasses with delivery drivers in North America, with a wider rollout expected after testing and refinement. The move follows a 2024 Reuters report that first revealed Amazon’s interest in developing wearable technology for logistics and delivery.

The company also said it plans to add “real-time defect detection” capabilities in the future, allowing the glasses to warn drivers if a package is dropped off at the wrong location. Additional features in development include pet detection and automatic adjustments for low-light or obstructed environments.

Alongside the glasses, Amazon unveiled a new robotic arm named Blue Jay, designed to work with warehouse employees for picking and sorting items, and Eluna, an AI tool that provides operational analytics for warehouse optimisation.