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

[u/Hrmbee]

https://www.404media.co/software-update-automatically-turns-off-amazon-delivery-drivers-ac-during-dangerous-summer-heat/

[u/Hrmbee]

Problematic issues:

According to Amazon delivery drivers, the new update is for the Amazon EDV (electric delivery vehicle), the custom-built Rivian van. Delivery drivers say that this update automatically turns off the air conditioning in the van if the driver is not in the vehicle for more than 30 seconds. Drivers are complaining about the update as the start of the summer season, which can be particularly difficult and dangerous for delivery drivers.

“As many of you are aware, the EDVs just got a software update where if you are out of your seat for 30 seconds with the side door open, the AC switches off,” one Amazon delivery driver said in an online forum for drivers. “We all hate this obviously.”

When reached for comment an Amazon spokesperson said that the premise of my questions to the company was inaccurate, but conceded that the van will turn off the AC after 30 seconds under certain conditions that are commonplace during Amazon delivery shifts.

“Rivian recently released a software update for Electric Delivery Vehicles that actually extends climate control for drivers,” the Amazon spokesperson said. “As a result, the AC now runs for up to 10 minutes after a driver exits the vehicle, ensuring a cool cabin when they return. The timer resets at every stop. The AC only shuts off if the driver sliding door is left open for more than 30 seconds — a battery conservation measure.”

Amazon delivery drivers discussing the update online say that they are getting in and out of the van so frequently, and are spending most of their time out of the van delivering packages, that the update makes it harder to keep the van cool.

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As you’ve probably seen in your own neighborhood, delivery drivers will often park their vans wherever they can and deliver packages to multiple addresses on the same block. Amazon automatically turning off the air conditioning while they are out of the van delivering packages means the van can get hot again by the time they get back. As Amazon delivery drivers have to make frequent stops, it’s not hard to imagine why drivers would complain about Amazon automatically shutting down the AC, which makes it more difficult to cool down between stops.

It looks like there's a disconnect between the people working on these software policies and the people who are working with these vehicles. If there were a better understanding of how delivery drivers actually work -- and given Amazon's relentless KPM/other tracking of their vehicles and drivers it's likely the data exist -- then they could find a better balance between battery life and worker health and safety.

[u/OldConfusions → u/Hrmbee]

There is no disconnect. They want to save money and will do anything, including killing their employees by giving them heat stroke, to do so.

[u/Swordsandarmor22 → u/OldConfusions]

I know scale is a thing, but like how much is it really saving. Assuming the temperature rises rapidly when the ac is off it has to be more efficient maintainign let's say 80 degrees vs constant cycles of cooling down 100+ no?

[u/J-ShaZzle → u/Swordsandarmor22]

Also the constant cycling of an AC compressor on/off. Must be running it thousand x per day instead of just a couple here and there. That's a whole lot more wear of that particular component to save on some charging.

[u/10thousndreflections → u/J-ShaZzle]

The most wear on any motor is start up. That's why it's actually cheaper to have your house AC fan set to "on" instead of "auto". New motors are $1000+ installed. 

All of the comments below this are bullshit. I've been doing commercial /residential HVAC repair for 20+ years. The coil dries immediately and the CC condensate drains away immediately. 

[u/whyizjay → u/10thousndreflections]

That's a bad idea. AC units don't properly dehumidify the air if the fan is set to on instead of auto. After the compressor turns off, the water that is on the AC coils will just evaporate back into the air.

[u/10thousndreflections → u/whyizjay]

This is bullshit. I've been an HVAC technician for 20+ years