Amazon is currently preparing to roll out technology that uses artificial intelligence and lighting to help delivery drivers find the packages they need in trucks at a particular moment.
The new solution from the mentioned e-commerce giant, which owns the best American delivery service, is called Vision-Assisted Package Retrieval (VAPR). This functional offer was piloted by drivers. It is also known that VAPR will be included in 1,000 electric delivery vans, which will be put into operation by the beginning of next year. The relevant information is contained in the Amazon press release, which was published on Wednesday, October 9th.
The e-commerce giant said the new solution stipulates that the driver should only look for the green signal of the VAPR light, which spotlights the right packages at each stop, according to the press release.
The press release notes that VAPR uses computer vision technology called Amazon Robotics Identification (AR-ID). In this case, automatic identification of items is provided, per the press release.
After the van arrives at the delivery location, VAPR starts using visual cues to inform the driver that it has found the packages for the appropriate stop. Also, in this case, the application of light projectors, which are mounted on the roof of the vehicle, is carried out. Projectors light on the necessary packages with a green light in the form of the letter O and a red light X all other packages, according to the press release.
Amazon, following the results of the initial application of the new solution, recorded the result, which is that VAPR reduces the estimated mental and physical efforts of drivers by 67% and saves more than 30 minutes per route. The relevant information is contained in the press release. It’s worth noting that the drivers in the framework of personal comments confirm the mentioned result.
Stephen Harry, owner of Bloomfield Logistics, in the press release, said the new technology from the e-commerce giant is also contributing to more accurate deliveries. In this context, it was separately noted that VAPR always finds the right packages.
It is worth noting that AR-ID technology was originally developed for order fulfillment centers that are part of the ownership structure of the e-commerce giant.
In June 2022, Amazon announced that AR-ID would soon replace manual scanning on the mentioned functional objects and sort centers. Also, announcing the launch of the specified technology, the e-commerce giant noted that in this case, scanning capabilities based on artificial intelligence using computer vision and machine learning are provided. Moreover, AR-ID uses a unique camera system, the operation of which is carried out at a speed of 120 frames per second.
The press release also contains information that the e-commerce giant currently has more than 100,000 delivery vans in its fleet worldwide.
The idea of VAPR was formed in early 2020. At that time, a team within Amazon Transportation took the initiative to imagine a world in which technology is used as an invisible force to help drivers. John Colucci, product manager, at Amazon Transportation, noted that in this case, it was necessary to think about unique factors for the delivery experience, including lighting and constrained space inside the vans.
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