Matt Mendolera-Schamann, Vice President of Client Experience at Weber Shandwick, said Amazon has "been one of the driving forces" of innovation and improvement of same day delivery services, in light of the company's plans to develop smart glasses for delivery drivers to wear.
"Delivery, same-day or otherwise, has been a gamechanger in retail for the past decade especially as consumers have not only embraced it, but expect it to be FAST as they lean into e-commerce and mobile shopping more than ever," Mendolera-Schmann said in a post on LinkedIn. "Amazon has certainly been one of the driving forces."
Amazon is developing a pair of smart eyeglasses designed to assist delivery drivers with route navigation. The eyeglasses, known as "Amelia," feature a small embedded screen that provides turn-by-turn directions, helps drivers avoid obstacles, and guides them to their destinations.
The technology is expected to improve delivery efficiency, potentially reducing the time spent on each route. This could result in lower costs and enhance Amazon's competitive position in the retail industry. The eyeglasses may also allow drivers to take photos of deliveries for customer verification, building on technology already used in Amazon's Echo Frames, according to a report from Reuters.
Matt Menddolera-Schamann said this development could “shave seconds and minutes off their final miles,” proving to increase efficiency within Amazon’s delivery system, according to a post on LinkedIn. “I'm a big believer in the inherent value that brick-and-mortar convenience destinations still offer, since 9 times out of 10, if I need something in a pinch, I'm running to a drugstore, grocery store or other local retailer vs. firing up my Amazon app.”
One of the challenges in developing the glasses is creating a lightweight battery that can power the device for an entire work shift. Additionally, full data collection for mapping and navigation could take years, according to sources familiar with the project. Despite these obstacles, Amazon views the eyeglasses as a potential advancement in its delivery network.
Amazon has focused on optimizing the "last mile" of its delivery process, which can account for a significant portion of shipping costs. In addition to the smart eyeglasses, the company has introduced technologies such as ceiling-mounted scanners in delivery vans to improve package handling. The development of the eyeglasses extends Amazon’s efforts to streamline operations, focusing specifically on the "last 100 yards" of delivery.
Since 2010, Amazon has invested $35 billion in Ohio, boosting the state's economy by contributing $31 billion to its GDP. This investment has created 38,000 full- and part-time jobs as of January 2024, and supported an additional 72,000 indirect jobs based on the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis methodology. The company’s presence has also empowered over 11,000 independent sellers, mostly small and medium-sized businesses, in its marketplace. Amazon's key infrastructure in Ohio includes 18 fulfillment and sortation centers, 17 delivery stations, the KCVG Air Hub, and AWS data facilities, alongside renewable energy projects like a wind farm and 19 solar farms.