27 ms·

Amazon Hub

431 points by danial 9y ago

netinstructions 9y ago
Was kind of hoping this is something individual home owners could install near the front door so packages aren't left on the steps. If you fill out the form it asks what kind of property you have, and single family homes is an option, but then it says "your property does not meet our requirements at this time." I wonder if enough people select that though...
- joezydeco 9y ago
  There's always the Amazon Locker option for that. https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_366591722_2?_encoding=UTF8&node=6442600011 https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_366591722_2?_encoding=... This seems more targeted at apartment/condo buildings that have been wrestling with the mountain of Prime packages that show up daily and are either stolen or managed by a building superintendent that doesn't want to deal with them anymore.
  - stephengillie 9y ago
    A few apartment buildings have their own, exclusive, Amazon Locker. Other apartments have general "large package" mail boxes, for parcels from any sender. This seems to be the next step to merge these ideas, giving landlords an Amazon-specific large package mailbox.
  - ericras 9y ago
    Doesn't the building superintendent still have to load this thing? The delivery driver/postal carrier isn't going to do it, right?
    - dave5104 9y ago
      The UPS/Fedex/DHL guys that deliver to my complex all load the packages into the lockers themselves.
  - bbarn 9y ago
    My buddy lived in a rather nice condo complex in Chicago, with about 100 units in it. This was literally the reason he sold his place. Any time anything was sent to him there was a 50% chance he would get it.
- dave5104 9y ago
  This looks more like a competitor to someone like Package Concierge: http://packageconcierge.com/ http://packageconcierge.com/
  - chadcatlett 9y ago
    I'm not sure if we just got a unit plagued with issues, but the Package Concierge my apartment complex had installed has has been offline more than it has been online. It's constantly awaiting servicing.
- bootlooped 9y ago
  You could easily just DIY a self-locking box, if it was just for your own home use.
- janfoeh 9y ago
  There are a couple of interesting alternatives available here in Germany: 1. lockboxes or cut-resistant package containers which are clamped to your apartment door and can be opened with a PIN, such as these https://www.paketbutler.com/ https://www.paketbutler.com/ or these https://www.paksafe.de/ https://www.paksafe.de/ 2. the DB train network is installing delivery boxes on train stations and subway stations, including refrigerated ones for food deliveries, allowing for pickup on your commute home 3. Smart cars (those tiny city hoppers most Americans seem to hate) can be outfitted with a small module that allows delivery services to access the trunk, turning them into mobile delivery boxes
- Sleeep 9y ago
  Why not just get a package box for your porch? I guess there isn't a guarantee they delivery person would use it.
justicezyx 9y ago
Amazon is reinventing the whole daily retailing experience piece by piece. There does not seem anyone on the market now can be a meaningful competitor at all. The close-loop virtuous cycle now extends to a degree that probably only Alibaba can rival (in China). I don't think this is Bezos' original vision, but Amazon grows to a point such ideas just come out naturally. The resistance seems futile now, all retailers should consider how to operate in the model created by Amazon.
- whowouldathunk 9y ago
  I'm pretty sure the same was said about Wal-mart before Amazon came along.
  - deleted 9y ago
    [deleted]
  - justicezyx 9y ago
    Yes, many winning companies have received such compliments before.
  - skellera 9y ago
    The difference with Amazon is that they keep innovating which is something WalMart didn't keep doing. Amazon pours money back into the company. As long as they keep doing that, I don't mind that they lead. When they stop, someone else will step in.
    - Spooky23 9y ago
      The real difference with Amazon is that they have this captivating story that allows them to not make money. The whole enterprise is very fragile.
- cookiecaper 9y ago
  I think that Walmart is a very strong competitor, and too easily dismissed by the tech crowd that wants to pretend they're unsophisticated because they aren't based on the west coast. In many ways, Walmart is in a much stronger competitive position than Amazon, as they have "warehouses"/physical retail outlets within a reasonable driving distance of most Americans, and they're equipped to handle products that are not really feasible for someone like Amazon, who is still almost completely dependent on parcel carriers for access to the customer. Walmart does not have such external dependencies and Amazon is really only needed when the product is so obscure that Walmart wouldn't carry it. Walmart has next-day grocery pickup, electronic receipts and payment via Walmart Pay, and several other high-tech features available. They've been acquiring e-commerce upstarts like Jet and Bonobos. A crew of Walmart delivery drivers that covered a 5 mile radius from each store is Amazon's nightmare. I don't think it's wise to count Walmart out. The biggest challenge for them is internal, and whether forward-looking ecommerce advocates can win out against the visionless MBA types in resource competition.
43224gg252 9y ago
So... a mailbox?
- jdubs 9y ago
  Eventually a mailbox with an ip address?
  - madamelic 9y ago
    I would pay money to whoever could get rid of snail mail and make mail 100% electronic for me. Unfortunately USPS are Luddites. http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2014/04/29/How-US-Postal-Service-Crushed-Innovative-Startup http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2014/04/29/How-US-Pos...
    - Spivak 9y ago
      Yes! We could call it electronic mail or e-mail for short. Am I missing something about Outbox? Why wouldn't they just give the people using this service a P.O box corporate office to use as their 'address' when getting something delivered?
      - tedmiston 9y ago
        I'm sure they thought of that. Probably some way USPS can refuse to acknowledge it or something. I've always wondered why private mailbox numbers even need to exist. The numbers could be virtual and all of the packages could be in one place to be retrieved by workers on demand. Perhaps there's some sort of clause USPS has to defeat an idea like that or an arbitrarily low limit for how many #s can be at a physical location etc.
    - cookiecaper 9y ago
      There are mail services that are pretty close to this in practice. Earth Class Mail is an example. Fairly expensive, but if you use them for your mailing address, they will receive the mail, scan the envelope, and provide you the option to have the mail physically forwarded, opened and digitally scanned, and/or junked.
madamelic 9y ago
I am kind of waiting for the day Amazon gets hit with an anti-trust or something. Amazon is nice, but a bit tired of Amazon's attempt to collect everyone's data about everything.
- bbarn 9y ago
  Bezos just got a big target on his head today with the announcement he's now the worlds richest man. Give it a few months.
  - madamelic 9y ago
    That's what made be like "It's just a matter of time now". I really have no issue with Amazon overall. I am just tired of these blatant products to invade privacy (The Echo with the camera and this, and probably a few others I am forgetting)
- manigandham 9y ago
  > but a bit tired of Amazon's attempt to collect everyone's data about everything. Amazon is the easiest to avoid unlike other online services.
Nition 9y ago
"You can pick up any package" says the video while showing a whole sequence of packages of roughly the same dimensions.
- FRex 9y ago
  Yes, any. Just like 2 + 2 equals 5 for large values of 2. Coming soon, from the same company that brought you the ability to buy unlimited storage[1]! [1]https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14511935 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14511935
  - jamespo 9y ago
    Someone from /r/datahoarder didn't read the TOS
sumitgt 9y ago
My apartment uses LuxerOne (https://app.luxerone.com https://app.luxerone.com), and it is the best amenity IMO. One problem of Amazon Hub v/s LuxerOne is that I don't think Amazon Hub will work with packages from other retailers.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- CobrastanJorji 9y ago
  Website seems to claim it accepts packages from "any sender, any retailer"
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- dave5104 9y ago
  "Accepting deliveries from all carriers, Hub by Amazon can free you and your staff from daily package management."
  - Nition 9y ago
    I'd be possible to honestly say you accept deliveries from any carrier and still require the seller to be Amazon. But anyway the video says "any retailer", so that's not the case.
    - byoung2 9y ago
      But anyway the video says "any retailer", so that's not the case The video says "any sender" so it could be a private party sending you something as well.
- Mizza 9y ago
  I have one of these in my building. The result is that there is always a giant pile of packages surrounding the lockers. I talked to the delivery people about why, they said the the buttons are too hard to push, so they just leave the packages laying around and nobody really minds anyway, so it's not worth their time. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
clvcooke 9y ago
Looks like Amazon picked up the buffer box [1] idea. Such a shame Google bought them and shut them down, it had such potential. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BufferBox https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BufferBox
- dannysu 9y ago
  I thought BufferBox was a copy of Amazon Locker [1]? [1]: https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_366591722_2?_encoding=UTF8&node=6442600011
  - clvcooke 9y ago
    Seems like they were launched around similar times (both came out in 2011) so that a definite possibility. However from what I know about Waterloo's design projects (as this was a final year design project) this project was most likely started in 2010, so technically amazon's locker came out later. Although who knows who copies who when things get released so close to each other.
    - wavefunction 9y ago
      I would imagine that Amazon began working on their solution for some time before its release as well. Not that it matters to me who beat who but just to point out that they still likely started around the same time.
      - hosh 9y ago
        So ... I wonder how this is going to play into Amazon's drone delivery tech.
- neptunespear 9y ago
  I did some digging in the /r/uwaterloo subreddit and it turns out that some customers were getting packages at no cost. Perhaps it wasn't financially viable.
revelation 9y ago
Looks like a Packstation: http://www.dpdhl.com/de/presse/mediathek/fotos/dhl_packstation_service_01.html http://www.dpdhl.com/de/presse/mediathek/fotos/dhl_packstati... They are nice, but it's a bit of a trade-off: 50% chance there is an empty opening in the station, 50% chance it's full and they dump the packet at some service center miles away where you stand in line for half an hour and get your package late.
- woodpanel 9y ago
  Been using Packstation for 10 years or so. What an improvement in quality of life. Even more than receiving packages the part of sending packages has profited even more. And if a package does get rerouted to another station I just remind myself of how much I rather drive 5 additional minutes with my car, than to wait 30 min in line at the postoffice (which has to happen during working hours anyways). Yikes.
  - janfoeh 9y ago
    Well, that's what happens to me 6/10 times. I have six Packstations within five driving minutes around me, yet as soon as the one I've addressed my package to was full on delivery, DHL insists on returning it to a parcel hub in an industrial area way out in the wilderness. Which closes 18:00 on weekdays, and on 13:00 on Saturdays. And don't get me started on their new "Wunschpaket" service for redirecting deliveries in transit...
ohyes 9y ago
I had something like this at an apartment I lived in, it was called 'package concierge.' It was mostly nice, but where I lived there were issues with execution of the idea. At peak times (holidays) the package robot would get full, because people wouldn't pick up their stuff in a timely manner. The package robot also had to be loaded by an employee of the building... until then the package hung out in the mail room like normal, but you could only get your package from the package robot... so if the package showed up and no one was around to load the robot, or was slacking off on loading the robot, it actually took longer to get your stuff. When it worked, however, it was good to be able to pick up your package when you got home from work at midnight without having to talk to anyone or sign anything. Also getting notified via email that you had something waiting was nice.
felipesabino 9y ago
[off-topic] Anyone else really annoyed by the buggy scroll making the page jump up and down?
nightski 9y ago
Wow that looks like an example of over engineering if I have ever seen one. USPS has been using a simple key system for ages.
- Godel_unicode 9y ago
  This allows oversubscription. With keys everyone needs their own box large enough to hold any parcel they might receive (recall that Amazon sells bass guitars and jumbo packs of toilet paper)
  - anindha 9y ago
    My old apartment had a system with keys. If you got a package they would lock it in the package mailbox and leave the key in your personal mailbox. I think that is what above comment is referring to. It is nice having a notification, so don't believe its over engineering.
    - jonknee 9y ago
      Again, that's only accessible to USPS and requires a locking box per resident (your mailbox).
      - deleted 9y ago
        [deleted]
      - mrout 9y ago
        There's no reason it has to be only accessible to USPS. And what's wrong with just using the standard, taxpayer-funded postal service for everything? It's a useful service where it makes absolutely no sense to duplicate effort and waste everyone's time, money and patience with competition on a pretty simple service. Every other sane country just has a single, taxpayer-owned postal service..
      - anindha 9y ago
        Every apartment I have lived has a mailbox. Not only accessible to USPS, anyone can use it.
polskibus 9y ago
Been using InPost Paczkomaty for ages. https://twoj.inpost.pl/pl/przesylki/paczkomaty https://twoj.inpost.pl/pl/przesylki/paczkomaty established 2006, helped bring down the cost of deliveries at the same time improved convenience of online shopping when DHL,etc. always wanted to come to your flat when you were at work
- BartSaM 9y ago
  Paczkomaty is one of the best revolutions in the post delivery industry. So convenient.
- GFischer 9y ago
  I think those are a great idea, I hope they come to my country sometime.
- FRex 9y ago
  I was about to mention these.
- AnssiH 9y ago
  Finnish Posti also started installing those in 2011, now they have ~500 of them (~1 per 11000 pop). They've also recently started installing similar machines to apartment buildings (somewhat similar to OP Amazon things I guess).
  - stevekemp 9y ago
    These are pretty great. One of the big surprises of moving to Finland was that the postal service will __never__ deliver a parcel to your door. Cards, very small packets, and letters all get delivered Monday-Friday, but parcels? They leave a card and you have to take it to your local post-office to collect your item. I'd visited Finland a lot prior to moving, but of course this is the kind of thing you don't realize until you've relocated "for real". In the past I used to do a lot of online ordering, but since moving I've cut down a lot just because collection of things is a real pain. (Of course it helps that there is no Amazon.fi, instead the choices seem to be Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.de.)
cargo8 9y ago
Is this just Amazon Locker rebranded?
- e40 9y ago
  I'm pretty sure it is.
- byoung2 9y ago
  But accepting packages from any sender, not just Amazon orders
  - cargo8 9y ago
    Ah cool, thanks missed that. So it's an Amazon branded PO Box :)
    - dwyerm 9y ago
      Except a US PO Box wouldn't accept other carriers' packages. That changed a few years ago when the USPS started offering "Street Addressing" for PO Boxes that could accept other couriers' deliveries. But it had some really strange rules around the addressing. You're supposed to use the street address of the post office and your box number, but you're not allowed to use "Box" or "Suite". I'm afraid to try it, personally... https://postalpro.usps.com/node/2726 https://postalpro.usps.com/node/2726
orliesaurus 9y ago
What's next? Amazon Buses to get you to work?
e40 9y ago
Not new, and I tried to use it several times, and the boxes at the 7-11 near my house are never free.
paulcole 9y ago
They could OCR all the return addresses and figure out who's buying what and target ads accordingly. They could also x-ray all the packages for even more insight into consumer behavior. And if a package is coming from a competitor, offer the recipient the option to receive an Amazon gift card in exchange for refusing delivery and returning to sender. Or just paste Amazon ads all over every package in the Hub. Yes I work in marketing why do you ask.
Balgair 9y ago
Oh wow, I guess the company at my old Apt complex got bought out. Those racks are the exact same. Still, those were terrible ideas. FedEx, USPS, and UPS all just dropped the boxes off on our door. The others made us use those machines. It wasn't too bad to go down and get the packages. Oh wait, then you forgot your phone and had to go all the way back up to get it to get the unlock codes off of your email. Then you had to be certain that your email would not send the code email into spam, so that sucked. But if you were out of town or on vacation or just stressed from work or had a spam email mis-identification then it was a spawn worse than Satan. The system started to charge you, like 5$/day or something, for non-picked-up packages after like day 3. Guess who got a nasty surcharge after spending a month away for work and no email to tell me that things would get surcharged? Yeah, 150$ for some random thing my sister sent me unannounced was not a lot of fun. And no, the apt complex signed onto this AFTER we moved in and with no notice on the lease or an update to us. I did get the complex to pay that crazy fee after storming in one morning and yelling a lot. Idiots. As long as there is no charge for packages that don't get picked up and no 'max time' it can sit in a robo-bin, these things work great. If there is any charge at all, in any way whatsoever, avoid them like the plague, they are horrible.
- daheza 9y ago
  Same deal at my current apartment. This fills up super quick then they just leave packages the packages on the ground outside.
  - Balgair 9y ago
    Haha! All that engineering and design and all those meetings for nothing.
- usaphp 9y ago
  > Oh wait, then you forgot your phone and had to go all the way back I can hardly remember the last time I went somewhere without my phone.
  - joeyaiello 9y ago
arxpoetica 9y ago
Something like this for international shipments would be awesome.
2_listerine_pls 9y ago
I hate Amazon. These guys want to control every aspect of the chain.
ikeboy 9y ago
I'm hopeful this will improve deliverability - amazon sellers have noticed recently an increase in items returned because "shipping address undeliverable", and amazon forces us to eat the shipping cost - often on items delivered by Amazon themselves (amazon logistics).
- Spooky23 9y ago
  Of course, they're pushing the costs down to crappy vendors and contract people or stuffing packages for USPS to deliver using a loophole where USPS loses $2/box. The post office is hiring people at $11/hr and working them 60 hours a week until they flame out.
  - ikeboy 9y ago
    I've seen the op eds claiming a loophole, written by a large FedEx investor. I also read the response and I wasn't convinced that the USPS is losing money.
tapmap 9y ago
Isn't there a startup out there that will pick up your packages for you when you're out? Or will allow your neighbour to pick them up?
erickhill 9y ago
I wish my office's building was able to support one of these. Our neighborhood USPS will often swing by after the office doors lock. They will say things like "unable to deliver" but never deliver during office hours. When you buy from Amazon, you never know if UPS (never a problem) or USPS is going to be the deliverer. It makes Prime shipping nearly worthless for many of us. But we don't own this building, and at least right now I can't imagine where one of these things might go.
sealthedeal 9y ago
Amazon Locker rebranded?
veridies 9y ago
This morning, an Amazon deliveryman walked a few steps toward my house, threw a package about fifteen feet to the door (denting the case inside), and then walked back to his van. I still can't find a specific way to complain about the delivery. Forgive me if I'm not excited about Amazon building their own private mailboxes, but I don't think they have any real understanding of their own shortcomings.
- tedmiston 9y ago
  If the item arrived damaged I would report that and return it through Amazon's normal return process.
- jsjohnst 9y ago
  Amazon tries to make it hard to find this, so it's top of my bookmarks file: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/contact-us/general-questions.html https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/contact-us/general-questions....
  - tinalumfoil 9y ago
    If it's so hard to find I can't imagine they'd care what you have to say. Besides, it's not my packages I see thrown 10 feet across someone's yard. It's my neighbors that I don't know and wouldn't recognize if I saw them. For all I know it's not even Amazon handling the deliveries since they come in an unmarked white van.
    - jsjohnst 9y ago
      Then it's not your concern if you don't feel you should tell your neighbors. I was replying to someone who said they saw something happen with their own package and I can assure you from extensive experience that Amazon goes out of their way to try to make it right with the customer (even if they don't address the root problem, they still do something to make it right to a complaining customer).
- manigandham 9y ago
  This isn't Amazon, it's just delivery drivers in general.
alexobenauer 9y ago
Wildly unnecessary. Apartment complexes have mailbox systems where they leave a one-time key in your mailbox to a special package-sized box. No touchscreen or Amazon needed.
- ArlenBales 9y ago
  My apartments have those also, but it's USPS only.
- cma 9y ago
  A digital solution seems cheaper and faster than manually walking a physical key to your mailbox.
  - alexobenauer 9y ago
    It's a part of the same mailbox unit that personal boxes are in. You don't walk it anywhere.
  - hammock 9y ago
    Lol, what? It's literally just some metal boxes and keys
cbhl 9y ago
The biggest problem with this is that packages are bursty -- your mail room is always bursting around Christmas time. I saw one apartment complex this year that had a twist on the package robot concept -- there's an iPad at the door of the mail room, and you type in the code from your package, the iPad takes your photo and then unlocks the mail room door using a solenoid. The UPS guy? Scans the barcodes on the packages, then wheels them in and drops them off on cheap metal shelves inside -- no need to pay an employee to manage the mail room 24/7. More residents/packages? Just buy a few more shelves. Resident wants to pick up a package as soon as Amazon buzzes them? No problem. Resident wants to pick up at 2am? Great. The only problem is you have to trust your neighbors to not steal your packages.
- plumeria 9y ago
  Another problem with these mail rooms might be privacy: every once in a while someone can see how many things you buy at a time and from what retailers you buy from.
  - hatsunearu 9y ago
    USPS/FedEx/UPS dropping off your stuff at your porch has the exact same problem though.
- illumin8 9y ago
  About the easiest system to defeat ever. Guess or obtain any working code, cover the iPad camera with your finger, and clean out the entire mailroom. You need to live in a very secure building with trustworthy neighbors for this to be viable. Then again, we have no signature required, and regularly have packages sitting on our front porch for a day or so and haven't had anything go missing.
  - pluma 9y ago
    What is it with HN commenters living in these crime-ridden dens where everyone steals everyone's packages? Maybe it's a cultural thing but I've lived in apartment buildings in Germany with neighbors from all walks of life and unless a package has literally "$$$ EXPENSIVE GOODS THAT ARE EASY TO SELL $$$" written all over it, I wouldn't for a second worry about a neighbor stealing it. Maybe your standards for "very secure" and "trustworthy" are extremely low.
sixQuarks 9y ago
Amazon needs to solve the cardboard box overload issue. Too many boxes to break down all the time, and sometimes overfilling the bin.
- gehwartzen 9y ago
  That and there often being 80% unused extra space inside the box. That's not going to fly when peoples Hubs start overfilling because they are housing mostly air and cardboard.
jk2323 9y ago
Old news. They have this already in China and they have something similar in Germany. In Fact, AFAIK they even had something like this in the former GDR.
- sdm 9y ago
  Yes, in China it's common to have multiple of these "hubs" from different competitors. Some are refrigerated for grocery deliveries. It's all done by app on your smartphone. Get phone, the app has a QR code that you scan or some have an RFID card. And pop, the lockers with your stuff opens. It's awesome. So convenient to never have to go to the grocery store and still have fresh produce every day. Usually if you order by 9pm it will be delivered before 8am the next day. I miss how much more convenient things are in China. North America has a long way to go to catch up.
rtpg 9y ago
I get that the post office as a whole is useful, but on an organizational level it probably would make more sense for everyone to have to go to the post office to pick up their deliveries in this day and age. Personal deliveries to your doorstep is a pretty luxurious service, if you think about it in abstract. Plus it seems inefficient for these delivery people to go to a bunch of people's houses and drop things off (when people are mostly not home) when we could all just change our daily commutes slightly when we need to.
- dilemma 9y ago
  >we could all just change our daily commutes Sounds inefficient.
  - rtpg 9y ago
    I guess this is a bet on how often we actually get deliveries. Personally, I get "useful" mail about once a week. I'm never home when deliveries happen (though I have a delivery box in my apartment entrance, I used to always have to pick it up later). So almost every package I would get delivered would _always_ go from the delivery center to my home, then back again.
- Thriptic 9y ago
  There isn't a post office near me and I don't have a car. I come home at 9-10 PM every day and the post office closes before then. Do I now have to leave work to get my packages? Do I have to use Uber when I receive a large package? This is not a viable solution for a lot of people.
  - rtpg 9y ago
    In this universe I would imagine 24 hour pickup windows being a thing. Or even just more no-human-needed deposit lockers like Amazon hub. I definitely understand how this works less well in the current reality. Though you can do local reorganization of this (for example you have deposit lockers for an entire neighborhood in a specific part that is easy to access for everyone, and now the mail delivery takes only 30 minutes or so instead of 6 hours).
empath75 9y ago
Every apartment I've ever lived at just has deliveries left at the leasing office. It seems like it works fine.
- stephengillie 9y ago
  While at my last job, my apartment office's hours were also my work hours. Luckily I had Mondays off. It felt like some cruel joke, where ordering anything meant waiting almost a week before it was effectively delivered.
plumeria 9y ago
Who do they charge for this service? The retailer, the delivery company, the landlord, or the end consumer?
Nerada 9y ago
Pretty much Australia Post's Parcel Lockers. http://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/parcel-lockers.html http://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/parcel-lockers.html
- ryan-allen 9y ago
  Which are actually quite handy!
primigenus 9y ago
Hopefully at some point in the future apartments/houses just come with privileged access entryways that you can manage, and delegate time-gated access to delivery services. That way the delivery person can just let themselves into your "airlock", put the package there, and leave without getting undue access to your private home and without it being a public space (like a porch) that requires a social contract to not be broken in order to remain secure. Today's too early though, since IoT (eg. a connected doorlock) seems untrustworthy. What are some solutions that could be used to approximate it, I wonder?
- mahyarm 9y ago
  They would have to walk to every unit although. With these lobby solutions they just have to walk to one lobby. More time efficient, so cheaper deliveries as a result.
dcw303 9y ago
My apartment in Tokyo has a similar system, and the apartment before that. I'd guess that most modern buildings within the 23 wards have it too. Don't know about other cities. You use the same electronic key that you need to get into the building foyer. All domestic delivery companies (Kuro Neko, Sagawa, etc) will drop into them without a second thought. FedEx are a bit more annoying that you have to call ahead and authorize them to use a bin, but that's ok. I only have trouble with some things through Japan Post where a signature or ID is required, which is annoying but understandable when they are delivering something like a credit card.
- Roedou 9y ago
  My building has individual mailboxes in the lobby for each unit, and then a bunch of large boxes that packages can fit in. The mail deliverers put a package in, lock it with the key in the door, then put that key in my mail box, so I know to go get the package out. It's brutally simple, and I was surprised I've not seen an implementation like this before.
TranquilMarmot 9y ago
Isn't this just Amazon Locker? There are ton of them here in Seattle, one right next door to me. Biggest issue is the thing is ALWAYS full so I can never actually get anything shipped to it.
quantumwannabe 9y ago
This just looks to be Amazon Locker[1] for apartment buildings. I've seen the lockers in hotels and around town for several years. [1] https://www.amazon.com/b?node=6442600011 https://www.amazon.com/b?node=6442600011
nihonde 9y ago
As is so often the case, this is already a solved problem in Japan. When a package arrives, I'm alerted to its presence when I RFID my key to open the lobby door. Then I RFID my key again on the package locker and the locker with my stuff pops open. The issue with lockers filling up too quickly or packages sitting in them too long is handled by the shipping company, which has sufficiently good customer service to contact me about re-delivering items that aren't reaching me. Also, my neighbors would be mortified if their deliveries ever inconvenienced someone else in the building, so it's somewhat self-policing in that sense. The amount of over-engineering that goes into overcoming the shortcomings of customer service and lack of basic etiquette in America is amusing and sad. Amazon seems to be an emerging leader in finding solutions for social breakdowns that could be easily solved if people cared more about doing a good job or about extending basic courtesies to their fellow citizens.
- kalleboo 9y ago
  And even if you don't live in some fancy apartment building with RFID locks you can just get a box that you chain to your front door and the delivery services will respect that and put your packages in there, use your seal for a signature, and then lock it after they're done https://direct.sanwa.co.jp/ItemPage/300-DLBOX001 https://direct.sanwa.co.jp/ItemPage/300-DLBOX001
  - gehwartzen 9y ago
    What's the "seal" you speak of?
    - bikitan 9y ago
      In Japan people use these little wooden stamps with their names engraved instead of a signature. Throw 印鑑 into image search and you can see examples.
      - joncrocks 9y ago
        Reminds me of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_(emblem) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_(emblem)
crashedsnow 9y ago
We have a security gate and I installed a network-enabled lock for which I can remotely add temporary security codes that we then specify in the order from Amazon. This results in the UPS guy completely ignoring it and leaving the package outside the gate in plain view for package thieves. Delivery drivers are like cab drivers used to be before Uber/lyft. There's no accountability baked into the process. Someone please invent Lyft for deliveries.
voltagex_ 9y ago
AusPost has Parcel Lockers which are fantastic, except they won't accept courier deliveries, only "standard" packages (USPS, Royal Mail, Auspost itself). I get a push notification and an SMS. There's a QR code in the app which is used to open the door to the locker. Strangely, I got two DHL packages recently so maybe they've changed the rules.
devdoomari 9y ago
well there's a convenient-store version of this in Korea... which is a +1 for the convenient store (more ppl coming in -- more chance to sell stuff) and +1 for the buyer
chw9e 9y ago
If these things supported refrigeration it would be pretty convenient for future deliveries from Whole Foods
jageen 9y ago
Rakuten introduce same kind of service in 2014, Where you can set your password to unlock box. http://event.rakuten.co.jp/r-box/ http://event.rakuten.co.jp/r-box/
alecco 9y ago
This model doesn't work already. I ordered some PC parts to an Amazon Locker and got my Amazon account suspended indefinitely. I can't log in to it. But they didn't block the other half of the order that didn't make any sense to get (a case). They asked my ccard billings via fax (shrug). After struggling with my hotel's terrible computer and fax I managed to send it to them. No answer. I asked and only then they responded in a short email it was not legible. Terrible support. Also the delivery of the case was delayed several days so I lost it but had to pay for it anyway. They managed to make me never buy from Amazon again. My account was over 10 years old. Had problems with deliveries a year ago, too. (that was why this time I tried an Amazon Locker)
- FRex 9y ago
  Maybe try mailing Jeff? It seems to have worked wonders in this case: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14718799 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14718799
glenneroo 9y ago
What's wrong with the "pick-up stations" option? I have a list of 9 different places (post office, gas station, optician, pizzeria, drug store, etc.) within 15-minute walking/transit distance which I can select to have my stuff delivered. Alternately I can enter a neighbor's name/address or select a safe place. Is this only an option in Europe?
quickthrower2 9y ago
My solution is to tell them to leave it round the back, under the verandah
samcat116 9y ago
We have had a similar product at my University for the past two years. I honestly couldn’t imagine college without it. I have little faith that my residential office could manage that many packages. Plus free next day pickup for most things on Amazon is amazing. Order by 10pm and its there at 8am the next day.
otto_ortega 9y ago
I got a chance to try Amazon Lockers recently while on a trip in Seattle, I can't say anything but good things. It is very convenient not having to worry about if there will be someone at the time they try to deliver your package or that they just drop it around so it could get lost (specially if it is something expensive) At least with Amazon Lockers they give you 3 days to pick the package and return it after that, I assume they can do something similar with these, after 3 days packages are returned to the nearest carrier retail outlet.
banach 9y ago
Oh, they mean a "mail box".
bastijn 9y ago
In NL you can deliver your package to a drop off point near your house. Usually these are supermarkets or other kind of shops. I always pick my local supermarket which is anyway on my way home. It is open until 22.00 on working days so no issues there. It is not like this Amazon box but it does also not have the other things to worry about (packages arriving on holidays and costs surcharged thereafter). The shops get a little extra earnings and they handle sending back etc. When not picked up. The service is free of charge for customers. I guess Amazon box would be a tad more convenient to go to as they are at your doorstep (every single house is their intention, didn't get the site really?) but to be honest, you are visiting your supermarkets anyway. At least in NL where they are close. US might be a bit different here due to distance? Though you can do other shops as well, and usually there is one within say 1-2km.
- SyneRyder 9y ago
  > but to be honest, you are visiting your supermarkets anyway Worth noting that Amazon has Amazon Fresh (groceries delivered directly to your door) and just bought Whole Foods Market in the US. So in the future, you might not be visiting a supermarket at all, or if you are, it might be owned by Amazon anyway.
bschwindHN 9y ago
Here's a video demonstrating this kind of system in Japan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UysKY_uOXQ4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UysKY_uOXQ4 The cool thing is when you scan in with an IC card, the lobby door will notify you of the package. That same IC card also lets me unlock my door and open the delivery locker. There's also a panel in my room which lights up when a package is sitting in the locker for me.
losteverything 9y ago
It says from any carrier. To receive from the usps, among other things, you must have an address, a approved mail receptacle and a safe and secure location. The "space" in the mailbox is protected and is virtually owned by the usps. I could not deliver to a box that is not postal approved. I suspect the missing piece of info is an agent would have to palce a parcel into a Hub locker. Like the ups store does today.
odiroot 9y ago
I think we already have it here in Germany, if I understand correctly. DHL is always experimenting with new ways to avoid ringing your doorbell.
wanghq 9y ago
Lesson learned: if you have some idea, buy a domain name, and have one static page to explain the idea, and use a form service to collect feedback :) It's interesting to see that amazon doesn't mind using a 3rd party form service to collect information (https://amazon29.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8nWssUBen1xjLA9 https://amazon29.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8nWssUBen1xjL...) even though they have enough tech power to do that.
djhworld 9y ago
I suppose if you live in a block of flats, this would be useful. I tend to use Amazon Lockers a lot anyway, there's one just outside my tube station (Transport for London let Amazon put one there, which I thought was smart)
creo 9y ago
We have that in Europe for years. It works great for me. There is no communication struggle with anyone nor planning involved and its cheaper. You'll get phone message and mail that there is package to take and from that moment you have 48 hours to pick it up. If you don't do it within time limit, package gets back into warehouse so you can go there or request home delivery for few euros.
- iUsedToCode 9y ago
  Cheers from another happy "Paczkomat" customer. When i shop online (and i do it a lot) i try to choose sellers who provide "paczkomat" [0] as a mailing option. A bit cheaper, much more convenient and never have to wait or chase the delivery man. Such a good idea, and they aren't even at my doorstep, but further into the city. You can choose where you want your parcel delivered so it's not hard to pick one on your daily route. It should be everywhere, but i guess in the states population density is too low in many places. [0] https://blog.sote.pl/wp-content/uploads/Paczkomat-InPost.jpg https://blog.sote.pl/wp-content/uploads/Paczkomat-InPost.jpg
19890903 9y ago
There aren't enough companies doing USEFUL hardware. To see such a handy tool from Amazon is a breath of fresh air. What are some useful hardware companies that you can think of?
deleted 9y ago
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homero 9y ago
How's it get your email?
eli 9y ago
Seems like UPS Access Point and whatever the equivalent FedEx program is called already mostly solve this for me. If I'm not home, UPS leaves the package at a nearby participating business (which you can select from a list online if you wish). I picked a check cashing place that's already on my walk home. It's free and they'll hold packages for something like two weeks. I guess YMMV if you're not in an urban center.
smpetrey 9y ago
As a person who regularly commutes from Brooklyn to Manhattan for work I'm never home to accept my Amazon deliveries. To make matters worse, the local UPS, FedEx and USPS offices always "lose" my package only to have either never show up or it is re-delivered weeks later with no notification. Why don't they just leave it in vestibule or on my doorstep? Thieves. All delivery carriers just plain refuse to leave packages unattended. This solution is basically an Amazon locker or PO Box that lives in my lobby? Sounds awesome. Amazon Hub might not make sense in rural areas but Amazon's biggest target lives in urban areas. I'm so ready for this.
chiph 9y ago
I'm wondering how anti-theft these are. I (and my neighbors) just lost some mail because some thieves pried open the cluster mailbox. I imagine these would be a really attractive target.
gist 9y ago
Where this will end up is that Amazon will figure out a way to put these at private residential homes [1] and the property owners will be able to earn extra cash. Won't work in all places or on all types of properties but I can definitely see it being possible in certain locations. [1] After figuring out how to defeat any zoning issues.
SZJX 9y ago
Such terminals are already nothing new in China. I saw it in a resident estate a year ago and apparently according to what I've heard they're already a common part of people's daily lives. Amazon is just picking it up now.

431 points by danial 9y ago

Was kind of hoping this is something individual home owners could install near the front door so packages aren't left on the steps. If you fill out the form it asks what kind of property you have, and single family homes is an option, but then it says "your property does not meet our requirements at this time." I wonder if enough people select that though...

joezydeco 9y ago
There's always the Amazon Locker option for that. https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_366591722_2?_encoding=UTF8&node=6442600011 https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_366591722_2?_encoding=... This seems more targeted at apartment/condo buildings that have been wrestling with the mountain of Prime packages that show up daily and are either stolen or managed by a building superintendent that doesn't want to deal with them anymore.
- stephengillie 9y ago
  A few apartment buildings have their own, exclusive, Amazon Locker. Other apartments have general "large package" mail boxes, for parcels from any sender. This seems to be the next step to merge these ideas, giving landlords an Amazon-specific large package mailbox.
- ericras 9y ago
  Doesn't the building superintendent still have to load this thing? The delivery driver/postal carrier isn't going to do it, right?
  - dave5104 9y ago
    The UPS/Fedex/DHL guys that deliver to my complex all load the packages into the lockers themselves.
- bbarn 9y ago
  My buddy lived in a rather nice condo complex in Chicago, with about 100 units in it. This was literally the reason he sold his place. Any time anything was sent to him there was a 50% chance he would get it.
dave5104 9y ago
This looks more like a competitor to someone like Package Concierge: http://packageconcierge.com/ http://packageconcierge.com/
- chadcatlett 9y ago
  I'm not sure if we just got a unit plagued with issues, but the Package Concierge my apartment complex had installed has has been offline more than it has been online. It's constantly awaiting servicing.
bootlooped 9y ago
You could easily just DIY a self-locking box, if it was just for your own home use.
janfoeh 9y ago
There are a couple of interesting alternatives available here in Germany: 1. lockboxes or cut-resistant package containers which are clamped to your apartment door and can be opened with a PIN, such as these https://www.paketbutler.com/ https://www.paketbutler.com/ or these https://www.paksafe.de/ https://www.paksafe.de/ 2. the DB train network is installing delivery boxes on train stations and subway stations, including refrigerated ones for food deliveries, allowing for pickup on your commute home 3. Smart cars (those tiny city hoppers most Americans seem to hate) can be outfitted with a small module that allows delivery services to access the trunk, turning them into mobile delivery boxes
Sleeep 9y ago
Why not just get a package box for your porch? I guess there isn't a guarantee they delivery person would use it.

justicezyx 9y ago

Amazon is reinventing the whole daily retailing experience piece by piece. There does not seem anyone on the market now can be a meaningful competitor at all. The close-loop virtuous cycle now extends to a degree that probably only Alibaba can rival (in China). I don't think this is Bezos' original vision, but Amazon grows to a point such ideas just come out naturally. The resistance seems futile now, all retailers should consider how to operate in the model created by Amazon.

whowouldathunk 9y ago
I'm pretty sure the same was said about Wal-mart before Amazon came along.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- justicezyx 9y ago
  Yes, many winning companies have received such compliments before.
- skellera 9y ago
  The difference with Amazon is that they keep innovating which is something WalMart didn't keep doing. Amazon pours money back into the company. As long as they keep doing that, I don't mind that they lead. When they stop, someone else will step in.
  - Spooky23 9y ago
    The real difference with Amazon is that they have this captivating story that allows them to not make money. The whole enterprise is very fragile.
cookiecaper 9y ago
I think that Walmart is a very strong competitor, and too easily dismissed by the tech crowd that wants to pretend they're unsophisticated because they aren't based on the west coast. In many ways, Walmart is in a much stronger competitive position than Amazon, as they have "warehouses"/physical retail outlets within a reasonable driving distance of most Americans, and they're equipped to handle products that are not really feasible for someone like Amazon, who is still almost completely dependent on parcel carriers for access to the customer. Walmart does not have such external dependencies and Amazon is really only needed when the product is so obscure that Walmart wouldn't carry it. Walmart has next-day grocery pickup, electronic receipts and payment via Walmart Pay, and several other high-tech features available. They've been acquiring e-commerce upstarts like Jet and Bonobos. A crew of Walmart delivery drivers that covered a 5 mile radius from each store is Amazon's nightmare. I don't think it's wise to count Walmart out. The biggest challenge for them is internal, and whether forward-looking ecommerce advocates can win out against the visionless MBA types in resource competition.

43224gg252 9y ago

So... a mailbox?

jdubs 9y ago
Eventually a mailbox with an ip address?
- madamelic 9y ago
  I would pay money to whoever could get rid of snail mail and make mail 100% electronic for me. Unfortunately USPS are Luddites. http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2014/04/29/How-US-Postal-Service-Crushed-Innovative-Startup http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2014/04/29/How-US-Pos...
  - Spivak 9y ago
    Yes! We could call it electronic mail or e-mail for short. Am I missing something about Outbox? Why wouldn't they just give the people using this service a P.O box corporate office to use as their 'address' when getting something delivered?
    - tedmiston 9y ago
      I'm sure they thought of that. Probably some way USPS can refuse to acknowledge it or something. I've always wondered why private mailbox numbers even need to exist. The numbers could be virtual and all of the packages could be in one place to be retrieved by workers on demand. Perhaps there's some sort of clause USPS has to defeat an idea like that or an arbitrarily low limit for how many #s can be at a physical location etc.
  - cookiecaper 9y ago
    There are mail services that are pretty close to this in practice. Earth Class Mail is an example. Fairly expensive, but if you use them for your mailing address, they will receive the mail, scan the envelope, and provide you the option to have the mail physically forwarded, opened and digitally scanned, and/or junked.

madamelic 9y ago

I am kind of waiting for the day Amazon gets hit with an anti-trust or something. Amazon is nice, but a bit tired of Amazon's attempt to collect everyone's data about everything.

bbarn 9y ago
Bezos just got a big target on his head today with the announcement he's now the worlds richest man. Give it a few months.
- madamelic 9y ago
  That's what made be like "It's just a matter of time now". I really have no issue with Amazon overall. I am just tired of these blatant products to invade privacy (The Echo with the camera and this, and probably a few others I am forgetting)
manigandham 9y ago
> but a bit tired of Amazon's attempt to collect everyone's data about everything. Amazon is the easiest to avoid unlike other online services.

Nition 9y ago

"You can pick up any package" says the video while showing a whole sequence of packages of roughly the same dimensions.

FRex 9y ago
Yes, any. Just like 2 + 2 equals 5 for large values of 2. Coming soon, from the same company that brought you the ability to buy unlimited storage[1]! [1]https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14511935 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14511935
- jamespo 9y ago
  Someone from /r/datahoarder didn't read the TOS

sumitgt 9y ago

My apartment uses LuxerOne (https://app.luxerone.com https://app.luxerone.com), and it is the best amenity IMO. One problem of Amazon Hub v/s LuxerOne is that I don't think Amazon Hub will work with packages from other retailers.

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
CobrastanJorji 9y ago
Website seems to claim it accepts packages from "any sender, any retailer"
deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
dave5104 9y ago
"Accepting deliveries from all carriers, Hub by Amazon can free you and your staff from daily package management."
- Nition 9y ago
  I'd be possible to honestly say you accept deliveries from any carrier and still require the seller to be Amazon. But anyway the video says "any retailer", so that's not the case.
  - byoung2 9y ago
    But anyway the video says "any retailer", so that's not the case The video says "any sender" so it could be a private party sending you something as well.
Mizza 9y ago
I have one of these in my building. The result is that there is always a giant pile of packages surrounding the lockers. I talked to the delivery people about why, they said the the buttons are too hard to push, so they just leave the packages laying around and nobody really minds anyway, so it's not worth their time. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

clvcooke 9y ago

Looks like Amazon picked up the buffer box [1] idea. Such a shame Google bought them and shut them down, it had such potential. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BufferBox https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BufferBox

dannysu 9y ago
I thought BufferBox was a copy of Amazon Locker [1]? [1]: https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_366591722_2?_encoding=UTF8&node=6442600011
- clvcooke 9y ago
  Seems like they were launched around similar times (both came out in 2011) so that a definite possibility. However from what I know about Waterloo's design projects (as this was a final year design project) this project was most likely started in 2010, so technically amazon's locker came out later. Although who knows who copies who when things get released so close to each other.
  - wavefunction 9y ago
    I would imagine that Amazon began working on their solution for some time before its release as well. Not that it matters to me who beat who but just to point out that they still likely started around the same time.
    - hosh 9y ago
      So ... I wonder how this is going to play into Amazon's drone delivery tech.
neptunespear 9y ago
I did some digging in the /r/uwaterloo subreddit and it turns out that some customers were getting packages at no cost. Perhaps it wasn't financially viable.

revelation 9y ago

Looks like a Packstation: http://www.dpdhl.com/de/presse/mediathek/fotos/dhl_packstation_service_01.html http://www.dpdhl.com/de/presse/mediathek/fotos/dhl_packstati... They are nice, but it's a bit of a trade-off: 50% chance there is an empty opening in the station, 50% chance it's full and they dump the packet at some service center miles away where you stand in line for half an hour and get your package late.

woodpanel 9y ago
Been using Packstation for 10 years or so. What an improvement in quality of life. Even more than receiving packages the part of sending packages has profited even more. And if a package does get rerouted to another station I just remind myself of how much I rather drive 5 additional minutes with my car, than to wait 30 min in line at the postoffice (which has to happen during working hours anyways). Yikes.
- janfoeh 9y ago
  Well, that's what happens to me 6/10 times. I have six Packstations within five driving minutes around me, yet as soon as the one I've addressed my package to was full on delivery, DHL insists on returning it to a parcel hub in an industrial area way out in the wilderness. Which closes 18:00 on weekdays, and on 13:00 on Saturdays. And don't get me started on their new "Wunschpaket" service for redirecting deliveries in transit...

ohyes 9y ago

I had something like this at an apartment I lived in, it was called 'package concierge.' It was mostly nice, but where I lived there were issues with execution of the idea. At peak times (holidays) the package robot would get full, because people wouldn't pick up their stuff in a timely manner. The package robot also had to be loaded by an employee of the building... until then the package hung out in the mail room like normal, but you could only get your package from the package robot... so if the package showed up and no one was around to load the robot, or was slacking off on loading the robot, it actually took longer to get your stuff. When it worked, however, it was good to be able to pick up your package when you got home from work at midnight without having to talk to anyone or sign anything. Also getting notified via email that you had something waiting was nice.

felipesabino 9y ago

[off-topic] Anyone else really annoyed by the buggy scroll making the page jump up and down?

nightski 9y ago

Wow that looks like an example of over engineering if I have ever seen one. USPS has been using a simple key system for ages.

Godel_unicode 9y ago
This allows oversubscription. With keys everyone needs their own box large enough to hold any parcel they might receive (recall that Amazon sells bass guitars and jumbo packs of toilet paper)
- anindha 9y ago
  My old apartment had a system with keys. If you got a package they would lock it in the package mailbox and leave the key in your personal mailbox. I think that is what above comment is referring to. It is nice having a notification, so don't believe its over engineering.
  - jonknee 9y ago
    Again, that's only accessible to USPS and requires a locking box per resident (your mailbox).
    - deleted 9y ago
      [deleted]
    - mrout 9y ago
      There's no reason it has to be only accessible to USPS. And what's wrong with just using the standard, taxpayer-funded postal service for everything? It's a useful service where it makes absolutely no sense to duplicate effort and waste everyone's time, money and patience with competition on a pretty simple service. Every other sane country just has a single, taxpayer-owned postal service..
    - anindha 9y ago
      Every apartment I have lived has a mailbox. Not only accessible to USPS, anyone can use it.

polskibus 9y ago

Been using InPost Paczkomaty for ages. https://twoj.inpost.pl/pl/przesylki/paczkomaty https://twoj.inpost.pl/pl/przesylki/paczkomaty established 2006, helped bring down the cost of deliveries at the same time improved convenience of online shopping when DHL,etc. always wanted to come to your flat when you were at work

BartSaM 9y ago
Paczkomaty is one of the best revolutions in the post delivery industry. So convenient.
GFischer 9y ago
I think those are a great idea, I hope they come to my country sometime.
FRex 9y ago
I was about to mention these.
AnssiH 9y ago
Finnish Posti also started installing those in 2011, now they have ~500 of them (~1 per 11000 pop). They've also recently started installing similar machines to apartment buildings (somewhat similar to OP Amazon things I guess).
- stevekemp 9y ago
  These are pretty great. One of the big surprises of moving to Finland was that the postal service will __never__ deliver a parcel to your door. Cards, very small packets, and letters all get delivered Monday-Friday, but parcels? They leave a card and you have to take it to your local post-office to collect your item. I'd visited Finland a lot prior to moving, but of course this is the kind of thing you don't realize until you've relocated "for real". In the past I used to do a lot of online ordering, but since moving I've cut down a lot just because collection of things is a real pain. (Of course it helps that there is no Amazon.fi, instead the choices seem to be Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.de.)

cargo8 9y ago

Is this just Amazon Locker rebranded?

e40 9y ago
I'm pretty sure it is.
byoung2 9y ago
But accepting packages from any sender, not just Amazon orders
- cargo8 9y ago
  Ah cool, thanks missed that. So it's an Amazon branded PO Box :)
  - dwyerm 9y ago
    Except a US PO Box wouldn't accept other carriers' packages. That changed a few years ago when the USPS started offering "Street Addressing" for PO Boxes that could accept other couriers' deliveries. But it had some really strange rules around the addressing. You're supposed to use the street address of the post office and your box number, but you're not allowed to use "Box" or "Suite". I'm afraid to try it, personally... https://postalpro.usps.com/node/2726 https://postalpro.usps.com/node/2726

orliesaurus 9y ago

What's next? Amazon Buses to get you to work?

e40 9y ago

Not new, and I tried to use it several times, and the boxes at the 7-11 near my house are never free.

paulcole 9y ago

They could OCR all the return addresses and figure out who's buying what and target ads accordingly. They could also x-ray all the packages for even more insight into consumer behavior. And if a package is coming from a competitor, offer the recipient the option to receive an Amazon gift card in exchange for refusing delivery and returning to sender. Or just paste Amazon ads all over every package in the Hub. Yes I work in marketing why do you ask.

Balgair 9y ago

Oh wow, I guess the company at my old Apt complex got bought out. Those racks are the exact same. Still, those were terrible ideas. FedEx, USPS, and UPS all just dropped the boxes off on our door. The others made us use those machines. It wasn't too bad to go down and get the packages. Oh wait, then you forgot your phone and had to go all the way back up to get it to get the unlock codes off of your email. Then you had to be certain that your email would not send the code email into spam, so that sucked. But if you were out of town or on vacation or just stressed from work or had a spam email mis-identification then it was a spawn worse than Satan. The system started to charge you, like 5$/day or something, for non-picked-up packages after like day 3. Guess who got a nasty surcharge after spending a month away for work and no email to tell me that things would get surcharged? Yeah, 150$ for some random thing my sister sent me unannounced was not a lot of fun. And no, the apt complex signed onto this AFTER we moved in and with no notice on the lease or an update to us. I did get the complex to pay that crazy fee after storming in one morning and yelling a lot. Idiots. As long as there is no charge for packages that don't get picked up and no 'max time' it can sit in a robo-bin, these things work great. If there is any charge at all, in any way whatsoever, avoid them like the plague, they are horrible.

daheza 9y ago
Same deal at my current apartment. This fills up super quick then they just leave packages the packages on the ground outside.
- Balgair 9y ago
  Haha! All that engineering and design and all those meetings for nothing.
usaphp 9y ago
> Oh wait, then you forgot your phone and had to go all the way back I can hardly remember the last time I went somewhere without my phone.
- joeyaiello 9y ago

arxpoetica 9y ago

Something like this for international shipments would be awesome.

2_listerine_pls 9y ago

I hate Amazon. These guys want to control every aspect of the chain.

ikeboy 9y ago

I'm hopeful this will improve deliverability - amazon sellers have noticed recently an increase in items returned because "shipping address undeliverable", and amazon forces us to eat the shipping cost - often on items delivered by Amazon themselves (amazon logistics).

Spooky23 9y ago
Of course, they're pushing the costs down to crappy vendors and contract people or stuffing packages for USPS to deliver using a loophole where USPS loses $2/box. The post office is hiring people at $11/hr and working them 60 hours a week until they flame out.
- ikeboy 9y ago
  I've seen the op eds claiming a loophole, written by a large FedEx investor. I also read the response and I wasn't convinced that the USPS is losing money.

tapmap 9y ago

Isn't there a startup out there that will pick up your packages for you when you're out? Or will allow your neighbour to pick them up?

erickhill 9y ago

I wish my office's building was able to support one of these. Our neighborhood USPS will often swing by after the office doors lock. They will say things like "unable to deliver" but never deliver during office hours. When you buy from Amazon, you never know if UPS (never a problem) or USPS is going to be the deliverer. It makes Prime shipping nearly worthless for many of us. But we don't own this building, and at least right now I can't imagine where one of these things might go.

sealthedeal 9y ago

Amazon Locker rebranded?

veridies 9y ago

This morning, an Amazon deliveryman walked a few steps toward my house, threw a package about fifteen feet to the door (denting the case inside), and then walked back to his van. I still can't find a specific way to complain about the delivery. Forgive me if I'm not excited about Amazon building their own private mailboxes, but I don't think they have any real understanding of their own shortcomings.

tedmiston 9y ago
If the item arrived damaged I would report that and return it through Amazon's normal return process.
jsjohnst 9y ago
Amazon tries to make it hard to find this, so it's top of my bookmarks file: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/contact-us/general-questions.html https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/contact-us/general-questions....
- tinalumfoil 9y ago
  If it's so hard to find I can't imagine they'd care what you have to say. Besides, it's not my packages I see thrown 10 feet across someone's yard. It's my neighbors that I don't know and wouldn't recognize if I saw them. For all I know it's not even Amazon handling the deliveries since they come in an unmarked white van.
  - jsjohnst 9y ago
    Then it's not your concern if you don't feel you should tell your neighbors. I was replying to someone who said they saw something happen with their own package and I can assure you from extensive experience that Amazon goes out of their way to try to make it right with the customer (even if they don't address the root problem, they still do something to make it right to a complaining customer).
manigandham 9y ago
This isn't Amazon, it's just delivery drivers in general.

alexobenauer 9y ago

Wildly unnecessary. Apartment complexes have mailbox systems where they leave a one-time key in your mailbox to a special package-sized box. No touchscreen or Amazon needed.

ArlenBales 9y ago
My apartments have those also, but it's USPS only.
cma 9y ago
A digital solution seems cheaper and faster than manually walking a physical key to your mailbox.
- alexobenauer 9y ago
  It's a part of the same mailbox unit that personal boxes are in. You don't walk it anywhere.
- hammock 9y ago
  Lol, what? It's literally just some metal boxes and keys

cbhl 9y ago

The biggest problem with this is that packages are bursty -- your mail room is always bursting around Christmas time. I saw one apartment complex this year that had a twist on the package robot concept -- there's an iPad at the door of the mail room, and you type in the code from your package, the iPad takes your photo and then unlocks the mail room door using a solenoid. The UPS guy? Scans the barcodes on the packages, then wheels them in and drops them off on cheap metal shelves inside -- no need to pay an employee to manage the mail room 24/7. More residents/packages? Just buy a few more shelves. Resident wants to pick up a package as soon as Amazon buzzes them? No problem. Resident wants to pick up at 2am? Great. The only problem is you have to trust your neighbors to not steal your packages.

plumeria 9y ago
Another problem with these mail rooms might be privacy: every once in a while someone can see how many things you buy at a time and from what retailers you buy from.
- hatsunearu 9y ago
  USPS/FedEx/UPS dropping off your stuff at your porch has the exact same problem though.
illumin8 9y ago
About the easiest system to defeat ever. Guess or obtain any working code, cover the iPad camera with your finger, and clean out the entire mailroom. You need to live in a very secure building with trustworthy neighbors for this to be viable. Then again, we have no signature required, and regularly have packages sitting on our front porch for a day or so and haven't had anything go missing.
- pluma 9y ago
  What is it with HN commenters living in these crime-ridden dens where everyone steals everyone's packages? Maybe it's a cultural thing but I've lived in apartment buildings in Germany with neighbors from all walks of life and unless a package has literally "$$$ EXPENSIVE GOODS THAT ARE EASY TO SELL $$$" written all over it, I wouldn't for a second worry about a neighbor stealing it. Maybe your standards for "very secure" and "trustworthy" are extremely low.

sixQuarks 9y ago

Amazon needs to solve the cardboard box overload issue. Too many boxes to break down all the time, and sometimes overfilling the bin.

gehwartzen 9y ago
That and there often being 80% unused extra space inside the box. That's not going to fly when peoples Hubs start overfilling because they are housing mostly air and cardboard.

jk2323 9y ago

Old news. They have this already in China and they have something similar in Germany. In Fact, AFAIK they even had something like this in the former GDR.

sdm 9y ago
Yes, in China it's common to have multiple of these "hubs" from different competitors. Some are refrigerated for grocery deliveries. It's all done by app on your smartphone. Get phone, the app has a QR code that you scan or some have an RFID card. And pop, the lockers with your stuff opens. It's awesome. So convenient to never have to go to the grocery store and still have fresh produce every day. Usually if you order by 9pm it will be delivered before 8am the next day. I miss how much more convenient things are in China. North America has a long way to go to catch up.

rtpg 9y ago

I get that the post office as a whole is useful, but on an organizational level it probably would make more sense for everyone to have to go to the post office to pick up their deliveries in this day and age. Personal deliveries to your doorstep is a pretty luxurious service, if you think about it in abstract. Plus it seems inefficient for these delivery people to go to a bunch of people's houses and drop things off (when people are mostly not home) when we could all just change our daily commutes slightly when we need to.

dilemma 9y ago
>we could all just change our daily commutes Sounds inefficient.
- rtpg 9y ago
  I guess this is a bet on how often we actually get deliveries. Personally, I get "useful" mail about once a week. I'm never home when deliveries happen (though I have a delivery box in my apartment entrance, I used to always have to pick it up later). So almost every package I would get delivered would _always_ go from the delivery center to my home, then back again.
Thriptic 9y ago
There isn't a post office near me and I don't have a car. I come home at 9-10 PM every day and the post office closes before then. Do I now have to leave work to get my packages? Do I have to use Uber when I receive a large package? This is not a viable solution for a lot of people.
- rtpg 9y ago
  In this universe I would imagine 24 hour pickup windows being a thing. Or even just more no-human-needed deposit lockers like Amazon hub. I definitely understand how this works less well in the current reality. Though you can do local reorganization of this (for example you have deposit lockers for an entire neighborhood in a specific part that is easy to access for everyone, and now the mail delivery takes only 30 minutes or so instead of 6 hours).

empath75 9y ago

Every apartment I've ever lived at just has deliveries left at the leasing office. It seems like it works fine.

stephengillie 9y ago
While at my last job, my apartment office's hours were also my work hours. Luckily I had Mondays off. It felt like some cruel joke, where ordering anything meant waiting almost a week before it was effectively delivered.

plumeria 9y ago

Who do they charge for this service? The retailer, the delivery company, the landlord, or the end consumer?

Nerada 9y ago

Pretty much Australia Post's Parcel Lockers. http://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/parcel-lockers.html http://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/parcel-lockers.html

ryan-allen 9y ago
Which are actually quite handy!

primigenus 9y ago

Hopefully at some point in the future apartments/houses just come with privileged access entryways that you can manage, and delegate time-gated access to delivery services. That way the delivery person can just let themselves into your "airlock", put the package there, and leave without getting undue access to your private home and without it being a public space (like a porch) that requires a social contract to not be broken in order to remain secure. Today's too early though, since IoT (eg. a connected doorlock) seems untrustworthy. What are some solutions that could be used to approximate it, I wonder?

mahyarm 9y ago
They would have to walk to every unit although. With these lobby solutions they just have to walk to one lobby. More time efficient, so cheaper deliveries as a result.

dcw303 9y ago

My apartment in Tokyo has a similar system, and the apartment before that. I'd guess that most modern buildings within the 23 wards have it too. Don't know about other cities. You use the same electronic key that you need to get into the building foyer. All domestic delivery companies (Kuro Neko, Sagawa, etc) will drop into them without a second thought. FedEx are a bit more annoying that you have to call ahead and authorize them to use a bin, but that's ok. I only have trouble with some things through Japan Post where a signature or ID is required, which is annoying but understandable when they are delivering something like a credit card.

Roedou 9y ago
My building has individual mailboxes in the lobby for each unit, and then a bunch of large boxes that packages can fit in. The mail deliverers put a package in, lock it with the key in the door, then put that key in my mail box, so I know to go get the package out. It's brutally simple, and I was surprised I've not seen an implementation like this before.

TranquilMarmot 9y ago

Isn't this just Amazon Locker? There are ton of them here in Seattle, one right next door to me. Biggest issue is the thing is ALWAYS full so I can never actually get anything shipped to it.

quantumwannabe 9y ago

This just looks to be Amazon Locker[1] for apartment buildings. I've seen the lockers in hotels and around town for several years. [1] https://www.amazon.com/b?node=6442600011 https://www.amazon.com/b?node=6442600011

nihonde 9y ago

As is so often the case, this is already a solved problem in Japan. When a package arrives, I'm alerted to its presence when I RFID my key to open the lobby door. Then I RFID my key again on the package locker and the locker with my stuff pops open. The issue with lockers filling up too quickly or packages sitting in them too long is handled by the shipping company, which has sufficiently good customer service to contact me about re-delivering items that aren't reaching me. Also, my neighbors would be mortified if their deliveries ever inconvenienced someone else in the building, so it's somewhat self-policing in that sense. The amount of over-engineering that goes into overcoming the shortcomings of customer service and lack of basic etiquette in America is amusing and sad. Amazon seems to be an emerging leader in finding solutions for social breakdowns that could be easily solved if people cared more about doing a good job or about extending basic courtesies to their fellow citizens.

kalleboo 9y ago
And even if you don't live in some fancy apartment building with RFID locks you can just get a box that you chain to your front door and the delivery services will respect that and put your packages in there, use your seal for a signature, and then lock it after they're done https://direct.sanwa.co.jp/ItemPage/300-DLBOX001 https://direct.sanwa.co.jp/ItemPage/300-DLBOX001
- gehwartzen 9y ago
  What's the "seal" you speak of?
  - bikitan 9y ago
    In Japan people use these little wooden stamps with their names engraved instead of a signature. Throw 印鑑 into image search and you can see examples.
    - joncrocks 9y ago
      Reminds me of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_(emblem) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_(emblem)

crashedsnow 9y ago

We have a security gate and I installed a network-enabled lock for which I can remotely add temporary security codes that we then specify in the order from Amazon. This results in the UPS guy completely ignoring it and leaving the package outside the gate in plain view for package thieves. Delivery drivers are like cab drivers used to be before Uber/lyft. There's no accountability baked into the process. Someone please invent Lyft for deliveries.

voltagex_ 9y ago

AusPost has Parcel Lockers which are fantastic, except they won't accept courier deliveries, only "standard" packages (USPS, Royal Mail, Auspost itself). I get a push notification and an SMS. There's a QR code in the app which is used to open the door to the locker. Strangely, I got two DHL packages recently so maybe they've changed the rules.

devdoomari 9y ago

well there's a convenient-store version of this in Korea... which is a +1 for the convenient store (more ppl coming in -- more chance to sell stuff) and +1 for the buyer

chw9e 9y ago

If these things supported refrigeration it would be pretty convenient for future deliveries from Whole Foods

jageen 9y ago

Rakuten introduce same kind of service in 2014, Where you can set your password to unlock box. http://event.rakuten.co.jp/r-box/ http://event.rakuten.co.jp/r-box/

alecco 9y ago

This model doesn't work already. I ordered some PC parts to an Amazon Locker and got my Amazon account suspended indefinitely. I can't log in to it. But they didn't block the other half of the order that didn't make any sense to get (a case). They asked my ccard billings via fax (shrug). After struggling with my hotel's terrible computer and fax I managed to send it to them. No answer. I asked and only then they responded in a short email it was not legible. Terrible support. Also the delivery of the case was delayed several days so I lost it but had to pay for it anyway. They managed to make me never buy from Amazon again. My account was over 10 years old. Had problems with deliveries a year ago, too. (that was why this time I tried an Amazon Locker)

FRex 9y ago
Maybe try mailing Jeff? It seems to have worked wonders in this case: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14718799 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14718799

glenneroo 9y ago

What's wrong with the "pick-up stations" option? I have a list of 9 different places (post office, gas station, optician, pizzeria, drug store, etc.) within 15-minute walking/transit distance which I can select to have my stuff delivered. Alternately I can enter a neighbor's name/address or select a safe place. Is this only an option in Europe?

quickthrower2 9y ago

My solution is to tell them to leave it round the back, under the verandah

samcat116 9y ago

We have had a similar product at my University for the past two years. I honestly couldn’t imagine college without it. I have little faith that my residential office could manage that many packages. Plus free next day pickup for most things on Amazon is amazing. Order by 10pm and its there at 8am the next day.

otto_ortega 9y ago

I got a chance to try Amazon Lockers recently while on a trip in Seattle, I can't say anything but good things. It is very convenient not having to worry about if there will be someone at the time they try to deliver your package or that they just drop it around so it could get lost (specially if it is something expensive) At least with Amazon Lockers they give you 3 days to pick the package and return it after that, I assume they can do something similar with these, after 3 days packages are returned to the nearest carrier retail outlet.

banach 9y ago

Oh, they mean a "mail box".

bastijn 9y ago

In NL you can deliver your package to a drop off point near your house. Usually these are supermarkets or other kind of shops. I always pick my local supermarket which is anyway on my way home. It is open until 22.00 on working days so no issues there. It is not like this Amazon box but it does also not have the other things to worry about (packages arriving on holidays and costs surcharged thereafter). The shops get a little extra earnings and they handle sending back etc. When not picked up. The service is free of charge for customers. I guess Amazon box would be a tad more convenient to go to as they are at your doorstep (every single house is their intention, didn't get the site really?) but to be honest, you are visiting your supermarkets anyway. At least in NL where they are close. US might be a bit different here due to distance? Though you can do other shops as well, and usually there is one within say 1-2km.

SyneRyder 9y ago
> but to be honest, you are visiting your supermarkets anyway Worth noting that Amazon has Amazon Fresh (groceries delivered directly to your door) and just bought Whole Foods Market in the US. So in the future, you might not be visiting a supermarket at all, or if you are, it might be owned by Amazon anyway.

bschwindHN 9y ago

Here's a video demonstrating this kind of system in Japan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UysKY_uOXQ4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UysKY_uOXQ4 The cool thing is when you scan in with an IC card, the lobby door will notify you of the package. That same IC card also lets me unlock my door and open the delivery locker. There's also a panel in my room which lights up when a package is sitting in the locker for me.

losteverything 9y ago

It says from any carrier. To receive from the usps, among other things, you must have an address, a approved mail receptacle and a safe and secure location. The "space" in the mailbox is protected and is virtually owned by the usps. I could not deliver to a box that is not postal approved. I suspect the missing piece of info is an agent would have to palce a parcel into a Hub locker. Like the ups store does today.

odiroot 9y ago

I think we already have it here in Germany, if I understand correctly. DHL is always experimenting with new ways to avoid ringing your doorbell.

wanghq 9y ago

Lesson learned: if you have some idea, buy a domain name, and have one static page to explain the idea, and use a form service to collect feedback :) It's interesting to see that amazon doesn't mind using a 3rd party form service to collect information (https://amazon29.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8nWssUBen1xjLA9 https://amazon29.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8nWssUBen1xjL...) even though they have enough tech power to do that.

djhworld 9y ago

I suppose if you live in a block of flats, this would be useful. I tend to use Amazon Lockers a lot anyway, there's one just outside my tube station (Transport for London let Amazon put one there, which I thought was smart)

creo 9y ago

We have that in Europe for years. It works great for me. There is no communication struggle with anyone nor planning involved and its cheaper. You'll get phone message and mail that there is package to take and from that moment you have 48 hours to pick it up. If you don't do it within time limit, package gets back into warehouse so you can go there or request home delivery for few euros.

iUsedToCode 9y ago
Cheers from another happy "Paczkomat" customer. When i shop online (and i do it a lot) i try to choose sellers who provide "paczkomat" [0] as a mailing option. A bit cheaper, much more convenient and never have to wait or chase the delivery man. Such a good idea, and they aren't even at my doorstep, but further into the city. You can choose where you want your parcel delivered so it's not hard to pick one on your daily route. It should be everywhere, but i guess in the states population density is too low in many places. [0] https://blog.sote.pl/wp-content/uploads/Paczkomat-InPost.jpg https://blog.sote.pl/wp-content/uploads/Paczkomat-InPost.jpg

19890903 9y ago

There aren't enough companies doing USEFUL hardware. To see such a handy tool from Amazon is a breath of fresh air. What are some useful hardware companies that you can think of?

deleted 9y ago

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homero 9y ago

How's it get your email?

eli 9y ago

Seems like UPS Access Point and whatever the equivalent FedEx program is called already mostly solve this for me. If I'm not home, UPS leaves the package at a nearby participating business (which you can select from a list online if you wish). I picked a check cashing place that's already on my walk home. It's free and they'll hold packages for something like two weeks. I guess YMMV if you're not in an urban center.

smpetrey 9y ago

As a person who regularly commutes from Brooklyn to Manhattan for work I'm never home to accept my Amazon deliveries. To make matters worse, the local UPS, FedEx and USPS offices always "lose" my package only to have either never show up or it is re-delivered weeks later with no notification. Why don't they just leave it in vestibule or on my doorstep? Thieves. All delivery carriers just plain refuse to leave packages unattended. This solution is basically an Amazon locker or PO Box that lives in my lobby? Sounds awesome. Amazon Hub might not make sense in rural areas but Amazon's biggest target lives in urban areas. I'm so ready for this.

chiph 9y ago

I'm wondering how anti-theft these are. I (and my neighbors) just lost some mail because some thieves pried open the cluster mailbox. I imagine these would be a really attractive target.

gist 9y ago

Where this will end up is that Amazon will figure out a way to put these at private residential homes [1] and the property owners will be able to earn extra cash. Won't work in all places or on all types of properties but I can definitely see it being possible in certain locations. [1] After figuring out how to defeat any zoning issues.

SZJX 9y ago

Such terminals are already nothing new in China. I saw it in a resident estate a year ago and apparently according to what I've heard they're already a common part of people's daily lives. Amazon is just picking it up now.