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| Amazon monitors its drivers with artificial intelligence |
Amazon is known for applying technology to scientific management practices by using digital sensors to monitor and control the activities of its employees in the name of efficiency.
After installing machine learning surveillance cameras in its pickup trucks earlier this year, the company is now telling employees that they can accept AI monitoring or the threat of unemployment.
Now, Amazon delivery drivers in the US have to sign a biometric authentication form in order to continue working with the retail giant.
The information collected appears to vary based on the monitoring equipment installed on the truck, but Amazon's privacy policy covers a wide range of data.
The driver must agree to collect data, including data used to verify his identity, location, vehicle movement (including kilometers traveled, speed, acceleration, braking, turns, and nearest distance) and potential traffic violations (such as speeding, parking). ) picture. Signals and seat belts loose) and potentially dangerous drivers (such as distracted or drowsy driving).
Amazon announced in February that it would begin installing AI cameras from tech company Netradyne on its trucks.
These cameras record 100% of the time and are designed to detect dangerous behavior, just like a driver yawns or checking their cell phone.
The system can then provide real-time feedback and guide the driver to take a break or stay on the road.
This level of micromanagement and the potential for AI system errors seem annoying to some drivers.
A driver who spoke to Reuters earlier this month said the cameras violated privacy: "We worked hard all day and did our best." Cameras are just another way to control us.
When news of the camera's installation broke out earlier this year, Amazon campaigned for the security benefits of the technology.
An Amazon spokesperson said we have invested in security throughout our operations. We have recently started adding advanced camera-based safety technologies to our delivery fleet that will allow drivers to be notified in real time to keep them safe while driving. Go back to the street.
In the past, the use of Amazon technology focused mostly on warehouse workers as collectors had to use scanners to complete orders on time.
The company owns a patent for a bracelet that can track workers' hands in real time through haptic feedback to stimulate them when touching the wrong thing.
Recently, the use of incentive technologies has expanded, encouraging workers to do more in exchange for digital rewards.
A spokesman for Amazon said: The cameras are designed to assist drivers and our community who provide security services. These cameras are only for safety.
From April to 2004, the technology was tested for more than 2 million miles, resulting in reduced crashes by 48%, parking signposting by 20%, driving without belts by 60%, and distraction by 45%. . One month (October 2020).