Amazon deploys visual social distancing aid for workers

Amazon has introduced an augmented reality “distance assistant” to help its employees maintain a safe distance at the workplace.

The e-commerce giant said the system uses cameras and a large monitor that draws circles around employees to encourage them to maintain the recommended social distance of around two meters.

READ: Amazon focuses on mitigating impact of COVID-19

A green circle indicates a safe distance, but the circle turns red when people get too close to each other.

The system is developed by Amazon engineers by “working backwards from a concept of immediate visual feedback, and inspired by existing examples like radar speed check signs.”

It is being used at “a handful of our buildings” and the company plans to deploy it to more workplaces.

The company also announced it will be making the technology available through an open source to help other businesses ensure social distancing for their employees.