Amazon Rivian Van to Use Netradyne 'Always-On' Surveillance Cameras Inside Vehicles for Safety

Amazon has recently unveiled that it would now use its special-issued electric delivery vans from Rivian, with new reports revealing that it would add another technology from Netradyne, popular for surveillance camera AI. The company's focus is providing driver safety through video AI technology and would function more than an in-dash camera.

The popular e-commerce internet marketplace conglomerate, Amazon, has gone all-out for its electric vehicle delivery vans that were a special order from Rivian, bringing another technology for driver monitoring. The new dashboard camera technology would not only focus on the road but would be monitoring drivers for safety and distraction-free driving.

Rivian's first electric vehicle production was not its anticipated R1T electric pickup, rather, the special order from Amazon which is the battery-powered delivery van, that would bring all packages without carbon emissions. However, other than that, it would bring a driver-safe and distraction-free driving technology that uses AI and video.

Amazon Rivian Van Feature Netradyne's AI Vehicle Surveillance Cameras

According to a week-old video that was found on Vimeo's website, Amazon's Senior Manager for Last-line Safety, Karolina Haraldsdottir, details why the company would add Netradyne's Surveillance Cameras in the delivery vans. The same security cameras called SmartDrive were initially installed on long-haul truck fleets of the company.

The camera would be recording everything that is happening inside the cabin "100 percent of the time," however, it cannot be viewed live and with audio. The camera would be continuously uploading footage from inside the vehicle if a signal was activated indicating that there was an incident or accident on the road, or when a driver makes a mistake while driving.

Here, the safety team would be reviewing the footage and taking the necessary steps to make the driver accountable or clearing its name for when an accident occurs. Drivers are allowed to turn off the cameras manually, whenever the ignition is off or when the vehicle is not running, with an option to manually upload footage to report.

Amazon Rivian Van Surveillance Camera: Is it Unethical?

According to The Information's report, several drivers that they have consulted have said that they feel that installing Netradyne's surveillance cameras while working is unfair and invasive, especially when getting the job done. Moreover, the camera would bring more "burdens" to them as they try to meet shipping and delivery deadlines.

It is normal for drivers to feel that it is an invasive act, especially if the surveillance system that would be installed is new to their experience, and would be monitoring their acts throughout their work. However, Haraldsdottir said that the partnership with Netradyne and its AI surveillance camera is to set up its driver to success and provide support.

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Written by Isaiah Alonzo