For an Amazon delivery worker, each stop involves a seemingly simple but repetitive process: opening the back door, searching for packages, verifying addresses, and arranging the next shipment. The process may take a few minutes at each stop, but when multiplied by more than 100 daily deliveries, this time becomes a significant burden, especially on densely populated, high-volume routes. This is where VAPR comes into play.
In early 2025, Amazon will launch a fleet of 1,000 electric vans with Vision-Assisted Package Retrieval (VAPR), an advanced technology to locate packages in a jiffy through the vision of a smart camera. The new system, based on artificial intelligence, promises to change the dynamics of deliveries and reduce the time drivers spend finding packages. This unprecedented innovation was presented at the Amazon: Delivering the Future event, held from October 8 to 9 in Nashville, Tennessee (United States).
But how does VAPR work? “It uses computer vision and machine learning technology to automatically identify the packages that the driver has to take out at each stop,” explains Lexie Spiro, leader of Amazon’s Transportation Research and Design team, from inside one of these futuristic vans. . “When the van stops,” he continues, “the VAPR system reads the labels attached to the cartons and a laser projects a green “O” on the packages that must be delivered at that point and a red “X” on those that cannot. ” . This visual signal, accompanied by an audible alert, eliminates the need to manually verify recipient name labels.
By simplifying package identification, the VAPR system promises to dramatically reduce the time and effort required for each delivery. According to initial tests, the physical and mental effort perceived by drivers has been reduced by 67%, and the savings in time per route is at least 30 minutes. “VAPR always finds the right packages,” says Spiro, allowing its drivers to focus more on punctuality and customer satisfaction.
The idea of VAPR began in 2020, with the goal of creating an “invisible force” that would help drivers do their jobs faster and without errors. “We had to develop our own smart camera, thinking about factors unique to the Amazon delivery experience, such as lighting and space limitations inside the vans. The first models, in fact, broke. “We had to design a system resistant to the extreme environment that the van can face,” reveals the person in charge. After years of development and collecting feedback from drivers who tested the first 25 delivery vehicles, VAPR will be launched on 1,000 Amazon electric vans manufactured by Rivian in the US.
The implementation of VAPR not only represents a change in terms of technology but also a substantial improvement in the work experience of Amazon drivers. “Not only does it save us time and effort, it gives us new skills that distinguish us from the rest of the drivers in the sector,” says Kyle, a native of Boston, and one of the employees who was able to test the system from its early stages.
With a global fleet of 100,000 vans and more than 390,000 drivers, the large-scale implementation of VAPR promises to transform Amazon’s delivery operations and position the company as a pioneer in the use of artificial intelligence in last-mile logistics.
But Amazon’s vision for an efficient, automated delivery system doesn’t end there. The company continues to explore other innovations and technological solutions to make logistics a smarter and more agile process. As VAPR rolls out around the world, Amazon will solidify its place at the forefront of artificial intelligence and automation in the e-commerce sector, reimagining what it means to deliver to your doorstep.