Amazon is piloting a new piece of wearable technology that could significantly change the way its delivery associates work — AI-driven smart glasses that offer turn-by-turn directions, visual hazard warnings and real-time delivery support.
While the rollout is currently limited to the United States, the company has confirmed the device could eventually reach Australia as part of its broader strategy to enhance global delivery efficiency and safety.
A Hands-Free Upgrade for Last-Mile Delivery
At its recent Delivering the Future event in Milpitas, California, Amazon unveiled a working prototype of its smart delivery glasses, currently undergoing trials at selected US locations. The system, which relies on AI-powered computer vision, enables couriers to carry out essential delivery tasks without needing to look at a phone.
According to Amazon, the device is designed to streamline and secure the delivery process by integrating a heads-up display directly into the driver’s field of view. It displays navigation prompts, package information, and even captures proof of delivery photos. For example, when a driver arrives at their destination, the glasses automatically display which package to retrieve, followed by walking directions to the customer’s door.
A wearable controller, housed in a delivery vest, provides the core processing power and includes a swappable battery for all-day usage. An emergency button is also integrated, connecting drivers to local emergency services if needed.
One early user, Kaleb M, a delivery associate in Omaha, Nebraska, noted: “I felt a lot 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. ”
Australia in Sight as Global Rollout Gathers Pace
While no official timeline has been set for deployment in Australia, Amazon’s vice president of delivery experience, Sarah Mathew, confirmed the country remains a key market in the company’s expansion plans. Speaking at the same event, she stated that Amazon had recently invested $200 million into two purpose-built Australian facilities and was observing regional needs closely.
The company delivered over 40 million items with same-day or next-day fulfilment across Australia last year — a 40% increase from the previous period, according to internal company figures.
Amazon’s innovation efforts are not limited to hardware. In India, it has begun offering 10-minute deliveries through its Amazon Now service, while customers in the UAE can already receive products in just 13 minutes. Mathew declined to confirm whether this level of service would reach Australia but hinted the country could be used as a “test bed” for advanced logistics.
While traditional retailers might see such developments as a competitive threat, Mathew pushed back on this assumption, adding that physical stores still account for the majority of retail transactions. Amazon’s smart glasses represent a shift not just in delivery logistics, but also in how human-machine interaction is shaping the future of e-commerce.
