When a delivery driver holding a parcel puts on smart glasses, a digital map appears in the field of view. Even in complex areas of dwellings, arrows guide the driver to the address. After dropping the package at the front door, the driver can easily leave an "verification shot" without taking out a phone. If the driver misdelivers a package, a notice saying "Delivered to the wrong address" also appears.
Recently, IT companies have been focusing on the industrial wearable market. They aim to expand the customer base for wearable devices such as smart glasses, watches, and headsets from general consumers to corporations. The industry expects wearable devices to protect workers' safety while improving work efficiency.
According to the industry on the 31st, Amazon on the 22nd unveiled smart glasses "Amelia" for delivery drivers. Amelia includes functions ranging from navigation and parcel code scanning to taking delivery-completion verification photos. Amazon said that, based on Amelia tests, some drivers were able to save up to 30 minutes of working time. Amazon also noted that the work environment became safer because drivers can check information immediately.
Market research firm Counterpoint Research said, "Amazon focused on a specific use case of delivery drivers and combined its infrastructure with Augmented Reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies." It also said, "Amazon is reportedly planning to produce about 100,000 Amelia glasses in 2026, which could become the largest order for microLED displays."
Amazon is not the only company integrating wearables in the field. Samsung Electronics, in cooperation with Samsung Heavy Industries, also decided to use recently unveiled Extended Reality (XR) devices for ship inspection work. In a video released by Samsung Heavy Industries, a worker wearing "Galaxy XR" inspects the engine of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier rendered in 3D in a virtual space. Samsung Electronics plans to explore the potential use of XR devices in areas such as healthcare and product packaging going forward.
Samsung Electronics late last month released the Galaxy Watch-based B2B (business-to-business) dedicated solution "SmartThings Pro safety management solution." Site managers can use the "SmartThings Pro" dashboard on a PC or tablet to monitor in real time the biometric data of workers wearing the watch—such as skin temperature, heart rate, and falls—as well as ambient temperature and humidity. If a worker enters a danger zone designated in advance by a manager, an alert is sent immediately to the worker, surrounding workers, and the safety manager.
Vuzix, a global smart glasses maker, also in August released "Vuzix LX1," smart glasses specialized for transportation and warehousing. According to the company, Vuzix LX1 helps workers check picking (product selection) lists and scan inventory without using their hands. In addition, bone-conduction earphones are installed so commands can be given by voice alone.
Market research firm Straits Research projected that the size of the global industrial wearable market will grow from $16.39 billion (23.3852 trillion won) this year to $114.5 billion (163.3686 trillion won) by 2033. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over this period is 27.5%.