Amazon is looking into creative new ways to securely deliver packages to your home, in efforts to thwart ‘porch pirates,’ according to a new report.
The firm is reportedly nearing a deal with smart license plate-maker Phrame, which could allow delivery personnel to load goods into the trunk of your car.
Sources familiar with the matter have also revealed Amazon is developing a device that could give drivers one-time access to your home, so they can drop off packages inside, in lieu of leaving valuable items unattended, CNBC reports.
Amazon is looking into creative new ways to securely deliver packages to your home, in efforts to thwart ‘porch pirates,’ according to a new report. The firm is reportedly looking into lock boxes that would give drivers access to your car, and a device so they could access your home
HOW DRIVERS COULD ACCESS YOUR HOME
According to a new report from CNBC, Amazon is developing a device that would allow drivers to enter your home to deliver packages.
Two people familiar with the matter told CNBC the firm is working on a smart doorbell device that would allow one-time access.
They’ve not yet revealed details on how this would work- but, it’s thought the device would rely on a one-time code.
According to CNBC, Amazon is now in advanced talks to partner up with Phrame.
Phrame’s smart license plate device contains a radio frequency isolated lock box where you can securely store your car’s spare key.
It pairs with a smartphone app, which allows you to access the key whenever needed.
And, you can grant access to others as well.
The smart lock box is as strong as Kevlar, according to Phrame, and is designed to be tamper-proof.
A partnership between Amazon and Phrame could mean drivers would be able to access your car keys to deliver packages to your trunk, where they can be locked away until you are available to get them.
Amazon’s other endeavour would take things even further, allowing delivery drivers to go inside your home, according to CNBC.
Two people familiar with the matter told CNBC the firm is working on a smart doorbell device that would allow one-time access.
But, they’ve not yet revealed details on how this would work.
The firm is reportedly nearing a deal with smart license plate-maker Phrame, which could allow delivery personnel to load goods into the trunk of your car
HOW AMAZON COULD DELIVER PACKAGES TO YOUR CAR’S TRUNK
Access would likely be temporary, the report notes, and could even be offered for free to Prime members
According to CNBC, Amazon is now in advanced talks to partner up with Phrame.
Phrame’s smart license plate device contains a radio frequency isolated lock box where you can securely store your car’s spare key.
It pairs with a smartphone app, which allows you to access the key whenever needed.
And, you can grant access to others as well.
The smart lock box is as strong as Kevlar, according to Phrame, and is designed to be tamper-proof.
It’s thought the device would rely on a one-time code.
Access, in both cases, would likely be temporary, the report notes, and could even be offered for free to Prime members.
With package theft ever on the rise, Amazon is constantly working to optimize the safety of deliveries.
This past summer, the firm quietly launched The Hub – a locker delivery system for apartment buildings.
The pricing for the system, and the countries in which it will be available remain unclear.
The annoyance of missing a delivery and having to trudge to the post office could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to Amazon’s new delivery service
The Hub is open 24/7 and packages can be accessed from lockers using a pickup code given to users
AMAZON’S ‘HUB’
Hub by Amazon is a modular system that can be easily installed at a variety of properties.
The locker system is open 24/7 and packages can be accessed using a given pickup code.
Users can get parcels from all carriers delivered there, not just Amazon’s.
Amazon has not made an official announcement about The Hub, but has launched a new website for the service.
The firm already owns Amazon Locker – a set of self-service parcel pickups, which can be found in shops including Co-operative Food in the UK, and 7-Eleven in the US.
But The Hub offers a more private version, which can only be accessed by residents in apartment buildings.
On its website, Amazon wrote: ‘Hub by Amazon is a modular system that can be easily installed at a variety of properties.
‘All compartment sizes and layouts are pre-configured, so there’s no need to guess what type of compartments you’ll need.’
The first module – which is available in six colour options – is the Starter Hub, a six-foot wide system with 42 compartments.
If this isn’t big enough, users can opt for an Expander Segment which adds a further 23 compartments.
The Hub is open 24/7 and packages can be accessed using a given pickup code.
Users can get parcels from all carriers delivered there, not just Amazon’s.
The pricing and the countries that The Hub will be available in remain unclear, but on Amazon’s website, it invites those interested in The Hub to fill out a form with the details about their building.
