Why Didn't Tony Use the Edith Glasses and Drones Between Infinity War and Endgame?

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the use of Tony Stark's Edith glasses and drones is a significant plot point in Spider-Man: Far From Home. This begs the question: if Tony had these advanced tools at his disposal, why didn't he utilize them more between the events of Avengers: Infinity War and his death in Avengers: Endgame?

Personal Grief and Trauma

After the events of Infinity War, Tony Stark experienced immense grief and trauma. He lost his friends, especially Peter Parker (Spider-Man), and the weight of the Snap loomed heavily over him. This emotional turmoil may have prevented him from wanting to rely on technology or weapons he had created. The emotional and psychological impact of the loss can explain why he might have stepped back from his superhero duties and the use of advanced tech for combat.

Focus on Family

Following the battle against Thanos, Tony chose to focus on his family life with Pepper Potts and their daughter, Morgan. This shift in priorities could have led him to step back from his superhero duties. Balancing family life and personal relationships might have been more important to him than using advanced technology for combat. This decision aligns with the character growth of Tony Stark, who became more focused on his personal life during this period.

Ethical Considerations

Tony Stark underwent significant character development throughout the MCU. By the time of Endgame, he was more aware of the ethical implications of using drones and advanced weaponry. He may have felt that deploying such technology was not the right choice, especially after witnessing the consequences of their use in previous conflicts. This ethical consideration could have influenced his decision to not use the Edith glasses and drones in the latter part of the MCU.

Plot Device

From a storytelling perspective, the introduction of the Edith glasses and drones in Spider-Man: Far From Home serves to highlight Peter Parker's growth and responsibility as a hero. If Tony had used them earlier, it might have diminished the impact of Peter's journey and the lessons he needed to learn. The Edith glasses and drones would have significantly altered Peter's character arc, making his role in Spider-Man: Far From Home less pivotal. Additionally, the use of these technologies might have complicated the plot and altered the narrative trajectory of the film.

The Drones: A Limited Utility Tool

Moreover, in my head, there are two good reasons right off the bat:

The drones were great against Misterio and other standard humans. However, against Thanos or his lieutenants, they were not as effective. The drones might have been useful in the mass swarming in Wakanda, but Iron Man and the Edith glasses were off-planet for the entire battle. Therefore, they were not available when they would have been effective. I don't think Iron Man intended on revealing Edith's drones, especially in a militaristic way. His Iron Legion concept was not popular, and the drones were more like neat machines that looked like Iron Man. When they are used, they can get Spider-Man in a bit of a pickle, which will be explored further in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Overall, while Tony Stark had access to the Edith glasses and the drones, a combination of personal, ethical, and narrative reasons likely influenced his decision not to use them in that period.