Amazon is implementing a new proprietary AI solution called Vision-Assisted Package Retrieval (VAPR) to enhance the efficiency of its delivery drivers in locating packages within their vans. This innovative system could significantly transform the delivery process, reducing the time and effort drivers spend managing their packages.
VAPR aims to simplify the delivery process by automatically identifying which packages need to be delivered at a specific stop. The system projects a green “O” on the relevant packages for delivery, while all other packages are marked with a red “X.” Once the driver picks up the designated packages, VAPR provides an audible cue to ensure that no items are left behind. This feature streamlines the process and minimizes the risk of errors during delivery.
By eliminating the need for drivers to use their phones to organize packages or check customer identifiers such as names or addresses, VAPR enhances operational efficiency. Drivers can focus solely on identifying the correct packages by looking for the green indicator, allowing them to complete their tasks more quickly and efficiently.
The Amazon Transportation team has conducted extensive field tests of VAPR, reportedly spending hundreds of hours evaluating its effectiveness with actual drivers. Early results indicate a 67% reduction in the perceived physical and mental effort required by drivers, along with a time savings of over 30 minutes per route.
Currently, VAPR is being installed in 1,000 new Amazon electric delivery vans, with the potential for future expansion depending on the continued success of the program. Given that Amazon employs over 390,000 delivery drivers and operates more than 100,000 vans globally, the adoption of technology like VAPR has the potential to save significant time and resources across its delivery network.
