Amazon tests AI-powered smart glasses for delivery drivers to boost speed and efficiency
Amazon has unveiled a prototype of its AI-powered smart glasses, a futuristic wearable designed specifically for its delivery drivers, marking the company’s latest step toward blending artificial intelligence with its vast logistics empire.
Named “Amelia,” the glasses are equipped with a built-in camera and digital display, allowing drivers to view delivery details directly in their field of vision. The device pairs with a waistcoat fitted with a button that lets users instantly snap photos of delivered parcels.
“We’re testing it at a number of locations with over a dozen delivery service partners and hundreds of drivers across the country,” said Beryl Tomay, Amazon’s vice president of Transportation, during a launch event in Silicon Valley.
According to Tomay, the product is still in its trial phase, but real-world testing is already underway. “Drivers have been doing real deliveries with these,” she said. “We custom-designed it for that use case. There’s a very specific application here.”
The tech giant says the Amelia glasses are intended to improve “last-mile” delivery — the most time-consuming and labour-intensive part of the shipping process. The glasses display route information, highlight addresses, and streamline photo verification, cutting down on repetitive tasks and time lost between stops.
Tomay estimated that the glasses could save up to 30 minutes per shift across an average eight- to ten-hour delivery route. “From a safety perspective, we thought that was important. No distractions,” she explained, noting that the glasses automatically switch off when they detect the user is inside a moving vehicle.
For now, the prototype is designed for internal use, but Amazon has not ruled out a future consumer version. When asked whether the glasses might one day reach the public, Tomay said, “I wouldn’t rule it out.”
The company also revealed a new robotic arm designed to work alongside warehouse employees. The robot, already operating in a South Carolina facility, sorts parcels with speed and precision, which Amazon says will help reduce worker injuries and maximise warehouse efficiency.
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In addition, Amazon announced an AI management system that uses real-time and historical data to anticipate workflow bottlenecks and optimise operations. “It pulls in historical and real-time data across a building to anticipate bottlenecks and keep operations running smoothly,” the company said in a statement.
The prototype launch comes as Amazon faces growing scrutiny over automation and worker surveillance. The glasses, which record and process delivery data in real time, raise questions about how closely the company will monitor its drivers — though Tomay insisted the devices include strict privacy controls.
“The glasses have a physical switch that allows drivers to turn off all sensors, including the camera and microphone,” she explained. “Drivers can choose to keep it off.”
The Amelia device represents Amazon’s entry into the competitive wearables space, joining a wave of US tech firms experimenting with smart eyewear. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, recently showcased its own AI-integrated Ray-Ban smart glasses at the Meta Connect 2025 conference. However, unlike Amazon’s worker-focused model, Meta’s product targets mainstream consumers seeking hands-free access to digital tools.
While Amazon’s innovation aims at logistics efficiency, it also fits into a broader company strategy to fuse AI with physical operations — from warehouse automation to predictive delivery routing. Industry analysts say the glasses could dramatically change how Amazon’s vast driver network interacts with its technology ecosystem.
Critics, however, warn that the technology risks blurring the boundary between human workers and algorithmic oversight. Labour advocates have long accused Amazon of over-surveilling employees, and wearable AI could intensify those concerns.
Still, with global expansion planned and the pilot already active across North America, Amazon appears confident that Amelia will redefine the delivery experience.
For its drivers, the future may soon arrive — one package, one pair of AI glasses at a time.