People have been left deeply disturbed after Amazon announced a new dystopian way to track its drivers.
The e-commerce giant announced its new plans by unveiling a prototype the firm has been working on for its delivery drivers.
Known as the ‘Amelia’ glasses, Amazon showed off its new AI-powered smart glasses designed to be worn by drivers who can use it to capture images and video of deliveries.
Speaking at the launch event in Silicon Valley, Beryl Tomay, who is Amazon’s vice president of transportation, said: “We’re testing it at a number of locations with over a dozen delivery service partners and hundreds of drivers across the country.”
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On the Amazon website, it explains: “The glasses feature a small controller worn in the delivery vest that contains operational controls, a swappable battery ensuring all-day use, and a dedicated emergency button to reach emergency services along their routes if needed.
“The glasses also support prescription lenses along with transitional lenses that automatically adjust to light.”
A delivery associate working for Maddox Logistics Corporation in Omaha, Nebraska, known as Kaleb, tested out the new technology, saying: “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.”
However, not everyone is pleased with the news as many people shared strong opinions about the new product on social media, with one user taking to Reddit to write: “For collecting data for humanoids training for delivery. Right?”
Another said: “And also stalking employees to make sure their on their best behavior while they collect enough data.”
A third person commented: “Amazon ain’t doing this to help their drivers. As others have noted, they are doing this to a) gather data to train future automated delivery drivers and to remove the costly humans from their bottom line.
“b) watch and monitor their drivers to ensure that no one is taking one second more on a break.
“We’re going to be living in a prison in the future, monitored all the time and with greatly reduced ways to earn a livelihood. That is the road we are on, and pretty models spewing bulls*** on stage are the signs by the side of this road.”
And a fourth added: “No way this isn’t part of training a model for automated delivery robots lol.”