Could Amazon’s AI Glasses Power Safer Last-Mile Delivery?

Amazon is putting AI at the heart of its delivery logistics with the launch of Amelia, a prototype pair of smart glasses that aims to streamline the last leg of parcel delivery.

Designed to make the job faster, safer and less reliant on handheld devices, the wearable tech offers an intelligent visual guide that’s always on hand – or rather, always in view.

Amelia is being trialled across several locations by hundreds of Amazon Delivery Associates (DAs) and more than a dozen delivery service partners, with key information being displayed directly in the wearer’s line of sight.

Beryl Tomay, Amazon’s Vice President of Transportation, explains: “We’re testing it at a number of locations with over a dozen delivery service partners and hundreds of drivers across the country.”

“The computer vision and AI-powered glasses act as a smart companion for drivers, displaying real-time navigation and delivery instructions conveniently in the driver’s field of view. This offers a hands-free option for drivers to get delivery information at each stop, which helps drivers keep a safer eye on their surroundings instead of looking down at a phone.”

Once the vehicle is safely parked, Amelia powers up automatically. The system then steps in with visual instructions to help the DA identify the right parcel, follow the best route to the customer’s door and avoid hazards like dogs on the property.

To keep the glasses lightweight, processing is handled by a separate controller worn in the DA’s vest. This design reduces bulk on the face while ensuring the glasses can carry out demanding tasks such as scanning packages and capturing proof of delivery without delay or interference.

Saving time on the clock 

Amelia offers not just hands-free operation, but also a streamlined work process. With no need to juggle phones or handheld scanners, Amazon says the glasses can cut down daily delivery time by about 30 minutes during an eight to 10-hour shift.

For drivers out on lengthy routes, this could mean a smoother and more efficient workday with fewer interruptions.

Kaleb, a DA with Maddox Logistics Corporation in Omaha, Nebraska, is among those trialling the glasses.

“I felt safer the whole time because the glasses have the info right in my field of view,” he says. “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.”

To ensure safety is prioritised, the glasses automatically turn off when the vehicle is in motion. This prevents distractions behind the wheel and ensures Amelia only activates once it’s time to step out and start the delivery walk.

Amazon says: “We’re leveraging the latest advancements in AI to create an end-to-end system where technology supports an even safer and more seamless delivery experience along every step of their journey – from inside our delivery stations, to over the road, to the last hundred yards to a customer’s doorstep.”

AI wearables gain momentum in logistics 

Wearable AI technology is becoming more common across different sectors. Smart glasses like Amelia are a new take on an idea that’s gaining ground in consumer tech too.

Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses and Apple’s pivot away from its Vision Pro headset both show that the focus is shifting towards eyewear as a key platform for future tech.

Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg says: “Glasses are the ideal form factor for personal superintelligence, because they let you stay present in the moment while giving access to all the AI capabilities that make you smarter.”

This form factor is attractive not just to consumers but also to enterprise logistics operations like Amazon’s. The ability to scan, capture and guide – all without picking up a separate device – keeps hands free, attention forward and the process moving.

Amazon hints at what's next for Amelia. In future iterations, the glasses may be able to spot incorrect drop-off points, adjust lenses in low light and identify animals in the yard before the driver walks up to a home.

The broader market shows there’s appetite for these kinds of tools. A Markets and Markets report projects the Extended Reality (XR) market to grow from US$37.94bn in 2025 to US$84.86bn by 2029. This area covers virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality, with smart glasses playing a key part.

Other major tech firms are investing in this space too. Samsung has entered the market with its Galaxy XR headset, aimed at creating immersive AI-enabled computing experiences. The Amelia prototype marks Amazon’s own step into that world – with one foot firmly in the practicalities of everyday delivery work.