Amazon warehouse worker tracking wristband prompts backlash

An Amazon plan to track its warehouse employees' hand movements prompted concerns about privacy, surveillance a nd the dehumanisation of its workforce. Amazon successfully applied for a pair of patents for a wristband designed to track warehouse employees' hand movements and provide haptic feedback to guide them in their tasks, with the aim of streamlin ing the process of retrieving and packing items, potentially allowing workers to fulfill more orders quickly . Filed in 2016 and awarded in January 2018, the patents describe a set-up that includes wristbands equipped with ultrasonic devices, receivers around the warehouse, and a management module to oversee operations. If a worker's hand moves toward the wrong item, the wristband would vibrate to redirect them. However, the introduction of the technology raised concerns about loss of privacy and constant workplace surveillance. Critics also argued that it could further dehumanise Amazon workers, treating them as "human robots" under constant observation to meet demanding productivity targets. Reports of harsh working conditions at Amazon warehouses, including timed breaks and high-pressure environments, intensified scrutiny of the development. System 🤖 Operator: Developer: Amazon Country: USA Sector: Transport/logistics Purpose: Track worker movements Technology: Ultrasonics Issue: Employment; Privacy; Surveillance

Date it happened

2018-01-01

Organisation involved

Amazon

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