An Amazon.com Inc. delivery driver talks with another driver in a row of vans outside of a distribution facility on February 2, 2021 in Hawthorne, California.
An Amazon delivery driver recently posted on TikTok about the company's AI camera system and how it can be used to alert delivery drivers of everything they do. The firm sees everything from how frequently they take their hand off the wheel to how often they buckle up with a seatbelt.
The TikTokker @ambergirts uploaded a video on Saturday, Feb. 25, explaining the mechanism behind the tracking system. The video has been seen over 400,000 times in only the last two days.
AI Cameras and the Drivers
According to the TikTok video, as featured by Business Insider, the Amazon delivery van has four cameras - one forward-facing, two on the sides, and one in-cabin - that monitor the driver's actions, according to the TikTok.
She stated the forward-facing camera would monitor her following distance behind other vehicles, stop sign compliance, and speed. She stated she might get "dinged" if she fails to stop at a stop signal, follows a vehicle too closely, or exceeds the speed limit by six miles per hour.
The uploader of the video said the in-cabin camera follows her seat movement. "That camera is watching me while I drive, so I cannot do a lot."
She claimed the car monitors how frequently she buckles her seatbelt and issues "seatbelt violations" if she does not.
Apparently, one driver was fined for driving while scratching his beard, which the monitoring system mistook for holding a phone to his face, according to TikTokker.
Click here to see the TikTok video.
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'Safety Technology'
Amazon confirmed that the cameras are meant to switch off when drivers take a break. A representative verified that the cameras do not stream live.
They also made sure that drivers had the option to challenge erroneous violations.
"The safety technology in delivery vans [helps] keep drivers and the communities where we deliver safe, and claims that these cameras are intended for anything else are incorrect. Since we started using them, we've seen a 35% reduction in collision rates across the network along with a reduction in distracted driving, speeding, tailgating, sign and signal violations, and drivers not wearing their seatbelts," Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly told Gizmodo.
Public Critique
Starting in 2020, Amazon began installing cameras in its "last mile" delivery cars. By April 2023, the cameras are scheduled to be standard equipment in all branded vehicles.
The retail gant has taken a lot of heat for how it has handled its delivery people and its well-publicized warehouse facilities.
As per reports, Amazon is being sued for allegedly stealing from its drivers by keeping their tips. When animals have assaulted drivers or when they have complained about tornadoes in their areas, the corporation has come out as unconcerned.
See Also: Amazon Staff Disapproves of Abrupt Return-to-Office Policy
