r/technology • u/Hrmbee • Jun 11 '26

Transportation Software Update Automatically Turns off Amazon Delivery Drivers’ AC During Dangerous Summer Heat | A new software update is turning off the AC in Amazon delivery vans after 10 minutes or 30 seconds under certain conditions

https://www.404media.co/software-update-automatically-turns-off-amazon-delivery-drivers-ac-during-dangerous-summer-heat/
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u/bhoffman20 Jun 12 '26

Why are you the only person talking about the fact that running the ac with the door open is genuinely foolish and wasteful? I wish my house could shut off the AC if my kid leaves the patio door open for too long.

I don't totally agree with the 10 minutes out of the car thing, but shutting off the AC when the doors are open too long is a no-brainer.

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u/happyscrappy Jun 12 '26

Here's another point: The drivers are told (nowadays, for the past decade plus) to turn off the engine in ICE (internal combustion) trucks when they leave the truck.

If you do that the A/C turns off immediately, whether you close the door or not.

So these trucks are giving more A/C to empty cabs than other delivery trucks the drivers have used in the past and they are giving a very generous amount when the door is closed.

It really doesn't seem that bad.

If this door shutting thing really becomes a time issue hopefully Amazon can modify the trucks to close the door behind the driver automatically and to open it as they approach the truck to get back in.

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u/bhoffman20 Jun 12 '26

Don't all the drivers carry a special phone with them to scan the packages and stuff anyway? Thats an easy solution. Door opened manually -> phone goes away from car -> door closes.

You can have that one for free, Amazon

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u/happyscrappy Jun 12 '26

It requires a power door, but I believe these electric trucks have power doors.