Amazon is developing new augmented reality glasses, called 'Jayhawk,' aimed at both consumers and delivery drivers, with a planned release around late 2026 or early 2027.

These glasses are expected to include features like voice assistants such as Alexa, microphones, speakers, cameras, and a single-eye display, similar to Meta's Hypernova glasses.

Amazon's initiative aligns with industry trends shifting from bulky VR headsets to lightweight, AI-powered AR glasses designed for all-day wear, supported by advances in material science and AI.

The company's focus on driver-specific AR glasses aims to improve last-mile delivery efficiency by reducing manual navigation time and helping drivers locate packages inside vans, potentially lowering rising shipping costs.

Amazon's strategic push into innovative tech is also driven by the need to maintain a competitive edge in e-commerce, with data collection likely to optimize routing and operations.

While details about the specific features or release date are limited, Amazon's glasses will likely incorporate display technology from Chinese manufacturer Meta-Bounds, with a design that balances durability and functionality.

The development of these glasses is part of Amazon's broader effort to leverage wearable technology for efficiency, similar to other industry players exploring AR for logistics, like UPS and FedEx.

Meanwhile, industry leader Meta continues to innovate with products like Ray-Ban smart glasses and upcoming 'Hypernova,' which aims to encourage adoption with an price point around $800.

Meta's next-generation AR glasses, Orion, and Project Orion, previewed at Meta Connect, demonstrate ongoing advancements, with Meta holding a dominant 73% market share in the first half of the year.

However, the market faces challenges, such as Apple's Vision Pro headset, which has struggled with slow adoption due to high pricing and lack of compelling features, with less than one million units sold in the U.S. over a year.

Privacy concerns remain a critical issue, especially with the inclusion of cameras for environmental scanning, raising questions about surveillance and user control, prompting calls for regulation and privacy-focused designs.

Overall, the AR glasses market is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advances and consumer demand, but success will depend on balancing innovation with privacy and user safety.