Indian garment workers provide data for AI robots; near‑vision glasses raise productivity

In textile factories across Nagpur, Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru, Indian garment workers are being asked to wear cameras and smart glasses that record their hands, movements and machine adjustments. The footage is collected by AI‑data firm Objectways and sold to robotics labs seeking “egocentric data” to teach machines how to perform delicate, real‑world tasks. Workers say they receive little information about where the recordings go and fear the data will eventually automate and replace their jobs.

A separate study of Bengaluru garment workers found that providing near‑vision glasses to the staff led to a measurable increase in task productivity. The research highlights how simple vision aids can improve output in a sector already confronting high‑tech surveillance and automation pressures.