Amazon delivery drivers have expressed dissatisfaction after a software update in their vehicles now causes the air conditioning to turn off if the driver leaves their seat for 30 seconds with the door open.

Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer, has updated its delivery vehicles for Amazon, changing the system so that the air conditioning automatically turns off under certain conditions. As a result, several drivers have complained that the air conditioning is effectively non-functional and could lead to heatstroke.

Software Update Automatically Turns off Amazon Delivery Drivers' AC During Dangerous Summer Heat

The update implemented in Amazon delivery vehicles this time was that 'the air conditioning will continue to operate for up to 10 minutes after the driver gets out of the vehicle, but will turn off if the driver leaves the seat for 30 seconds with the side door open.'

Drivers are discussing this update online. Amazon drivers frequently get in and out of their vehicles, sometimes leaving the doors open, which causes the air conditioning to turn off frequently, resulting in the car being hot when they return.

Drivers are complaining, saying things like, 'We all hate this update,' 'The problem is we're moving around outside the vehicle for much longer than we're actually driving. Even when we start driving again, we're out of the vehicle for the next delivery before we even get a chance to breathe some cool air,' and 'It's practically the same as the air conditioning not working. The van gets incredibly hot.'

An Amazon spokesperson stated, 'All Amazon-branded vehicles are equipped with air conditioning, which exceeds industry standards. Any vehicle with malfunctioning air conditioning is immediately taken out of service,' emphasizing the company's strong support in the face of the current situation where some vehicles lack air conditioning altogether. They further added, 'The driver's seat is also equipped with a cooling seat,' and stated, 'This update was aimed at improving driver comfort during the summer months.'

Amazon has announced strategies to protect all its employees, including delivery drivers, from the heat, providing free water, cooling bandanas, and sunscreen, as well as adjusting routes and increasing rest times when the heat exceeds a certain threshold. However, Amazon delivery drivers are managed by a nationwide network of subcontractors, and drivers argue that these subcontractors do not necessarily maintain these standards.

Amazon delivery vehicles utilize advanced technologies such as automated route planning, but these advanced technologies are also causing problems for drivers. For example, the app 'Mentor,' which monitors whether drivers are driving safely, calculates a driving score based on multiple variables such as braking, acceleration, and speed, and evaluates their work performance. This puts drivers in a dilemma between meeting quotas and maintaining their driving score.

Amazon delivery drivers are making deliveries with their safety driving monitoring apps turned off - GIGAZINE

In the past, there have been numerous complaints online from drivers saying they were 'too busy to go to the toilet.'

Amazon officially denies claims that 'Amazon drivers are so busy they pee in plastic bottles,' but a large amount of evidence is immediately released - GIGAZINE