Every time an Amazon delivery person drops off a package, they photograph it with their phone. If I hold the package, I feel like a model from the 1960s. This might soon change with the introduction of Amazon’s new smart glasses, designed primarily for delivery drivers.

Amazon unveiled its prototype AI-powered smart glasses designed to help delivery drivers capture images for delivery verification and feature a heads-up display (HUD) resembling the iconic Fallout video game interface in bright green.

The glasses offer navigation assistance, hazard alerts, and task management capabilities, all while ensuring drivers keep their focus on the road. Notably, the HUD activates only when drivers are parked safely.

Kaleb M, a delivery person in Omaha, Nebraska, shared his positive feedback: ‘I felt safer because the glasses provide information in my line of sight, keeping my attention forward rather than distracted by my phone.’

Although these glasses aim to improve both safety and efficiency—potentially giving drivers three extra hours of productivity each week—they raise worries about privacy and the potential for an oppressive work environment. The implementation of such technology may lead to a future where workers must wear tech to perform their jobs effectively, a thought that seems unsettling to many.

For safety reasons, Amazon has incorporated a hardware switch for users to control the cameras, allowing them to turn off recording when needed. But concerns remain about the broader implications of constant surveillance in the workplace. As the technology progresses, one can’t help but wonder about the ethical boundaries of employee monitoring.

While the glasses are still in testing, they are expected to start appearing more widely soon, bringing both advancements and cautionary tales regarding privacy and workplace dynamics.