Amazon is seeking to use artificial intelligence cameras to monitor whether warehouse employees are complying with social distancing guidelines to stand 6 feet apart during shifts.
The device, known as “Distance Assistant,” will provide real-time social distancing feedback, according to a blog post by Amazon.
“When the COVID-19 pandemic began, many of our talented engineers rallied to support the health and safety of our associates working to get customers the products they needed,” the blog reads. “As we reimagined workstations and implemented new processes across our facilities, our engineering teams looked for ways to help maintain social distance. One early solution we developed applies artificial intelligence and machine learning to the camera footage in our buildings to help site leaders identify high traffic areas and implement additional measures to improve social distancing.”
Distance Assistant would monitor people walking past the camera with displays of live video and visual overlays to show if associates are within 6 feet of one another. Individuals who are 6 feet apart are highlighted with green circles, while those who are any less apart are highlighted in red.
On-screen indicators are designed to remind employees to stay apart to protect themselves from the coronavirus pandemic. A handful of devices have already been installed in a few locations across the country, with Amazon claiming feedback about them has been “positive.”
The company is also in the process to open source the software and AI behind the device so individuals can create their own Distance Assistant.
