Amazon is testing new technology called Vision Assisted Sort Station (VASS) to help employees at delivery stations more efficiently identify and sort packages before they’re loaded onto delivery vans. VASS uses computer vision and projection technology similar to Amazon’s Vision-Assisted Package Retrieval (VAPR) system in delivery vans.
When packages arrive at Amazon delivery stations from local fulfillment and sortation centers, employees sort and stow them into bags which are then loaded into vans by their delivery route. During this process, VASS creates a static buffer area holding multiple packages, where it spotlights packages with visual cues to help employees quickly identify the right ones without needing to look at a screen or device. The destination bags are brought to employees simultaneously, eliminating the need for them to walk.
“VASS is a powerful example of how we’re innovating at Amazon to make work easier for our teams,” said Chris Harris, Amazon’s director of logistics engineering. “VASS helps simplify decision-making for our employees and speeds up the process of getting packages where they need to go.”
How VASS Works
The technology behind VASS is built on advances in robotics, engineering, and physical AI. It shines a green ‘O’ on packages that need to be picked and a red shape on those that shouldn’t be, guiding employees to place the correct packages in corresponding destination bags. This system improves efficiency and reduces the mental load on employees.
Early testing of VASS at Amazon’s Innovation Center DNZ3 in Dortmund, Germany, showed promising results, including:
- Reduced mental load for employees
- Increased accuracy with a substantial decrease in missorts
- Greater efficiency through improved sort time per package
- Enhanced flexibility as the system decouples sorting performance from machine sequencing
Currently in the pilot phase, VASS is scheduled for implementation across some of Amazon’s delivery stations in Europe and the U.S. starting in 2027. Amazon’s last-mile delivery technology team is already working on enhancements that will incorporate more advanced computer vision algorithms, demonstrating Amazon’s commitment to innovating and scaling its operations to benefit employees, partners, and customers.
