Visual Aid for Parcel Retrieval Aims to Help Drivers Quickly Locate Parcels and Save Route Time.
## Briefing
### Amazon Deploys AI Technology in Delivery Vehicles
Visual-Aided Package Retrieval is designed to help drivers quickly locate packages and save delivery time.
Published on October 17, 2024
**Max Garland**
Senior Reporter
Amazon announced last week that it plans to deploy artificial intelligence technology across its fleet of 1,000 electric delivery vans by early next year to boost driver efficiency. Visual-Aided Package Retrieval (VAPR) uses AI to help drivers quickly find the required packages at each delivery stop. Amazon has tested this technology with contract delivery partners and reported that initial tests saved over 30 minutes per route.
Emptying bags and organizing parcels for the next delivery location typically takes two to five minutes, but with VAPR, this process is reduced to about one minute, according to Bobby Garcia, a driver for Bloomfield Logistics, an Amazon delivery contractor.
## In-Depth Analysis
VAPR employs computer vision technology originally developed for Amazon fulfillment centers to identify items during storage or picking operations. The technology can locate and interpret multiple barcodes in real-time without the need for manual scanning.
To optimize VAPR’s application environment inside vehicles, Amazon has integrated it with delivery route navigation systems and paired it with on-board light projectors and cameras.
“We had to consider unique factors of the delivery experience, such as lighting conditions and space constraints within the vehicle,” said John Colucci, a product manager at Amazon Transportation Services in the announcement.
According to Amazon, VAPR will prevent drivers from wasting time organizing packages for site-specific deliveries, reading shipping labels, or checking customer names or addresses to ensure they have the right package. Instead, this technology projects a green “O” mark on the correct parcel and a red “X” on all other parcels.
“With audio and visual cues, VAPR confirms the correct package has been located before the driver enters the cargo area,” Amazon stated.
Amazon is one of several companies using AI to streamline and improve delivery processes. For example, FedEx uses AI to generate more accurate estimates for package arrival times. UPS’s DeliveryDefense service relies on AI to identify high-risk shipments that may need rerouting to other locations.
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Source: Supply Chain Dive
