Amazon is reportedly working on an upgraded version of its Echo Frames smart glasses, specifically tailored for delivery drivers. According to Reuters, the idea is to give drivers a hands-free, heads-up display that would offer turn-by-turn navigation, guidance through complex building layouts, and quick verification for package drop-offs with a simple photo. This is part of Amazon’s broader ambition to streamline the “last 100 yards” of delivery, where the final few seconds of navigating doorways, stairs, and elevators often eat up drivers’ time. Known internally as Project “Amelia,” this initiative is designed to shave seconds off each delivery, potentially allowing drivers to fulfill more orders in a day.

The vision for the “Amelia” project builds on the foundation of Amazon’s Echo Frames, which currently support Alexa-powered voice commands and audio functions. The next-gen Echo Frames would differ by incorporating an embedded display and potentially even a small camera. These additions could help drivers get specific, real-time directions like “turn left down hallway B” after an elevator ride or assist with taking photos for proof of delivery—all while remaining hands-free.

The project isn’t without hurdles, though. Engineers face challenges in extending battery life to last a full driver shift and keeping the frames lightweight enough for all-day wear. This is a familiar issue in the smart glasses market, where other companies like Google and Microsoft have also tried (and often struggled) with enterprise-focused smart eyewear projects like Google Glass and HoloLens. While these devices are generally packed with useful tech, they have often struggled to balance features with wearability, especially under rigorous conditions like long delivery shifts.

Amazon’s pivot to enterprise uses for Echo Frames also comes at a time when consumer adoption for smart glasses remains low. Sales for the original Echo Frames, which launched as a more general-purpose smart accessory, reportedly fell short of expectations compared to competing products like Ray-Ban’s Meta glasses. By shifting Echo Frames to serve a specific purpose within Amazon’s own logistics, the company may sidestep some of the public hesitation around smart glasses, while simultaneously supporting its logistics and supply chain needs.

It’s still uncertain if the glasses will be deployed widely across Amazon’s delivery network or tested initially with a smaller subset of drivers, and the project timeline is unknown. As Amazon gathers data on how the new glasses perform in varied environments, it could decide to market them as part of a wider enterprise product line or even return to the consumer market with lessons learned from this practical application.

For now, though, “Amelia” hints at Amazon’s commitment to refining the last-mile delivery experience and shows how smart eyewear could evolve to meet specific industrial and logistics needs.