[Spooky23]

Sounds like the idea of a delivery robot isn't working out in testing, so now focus is shifting to the notion of an Amazon robot associated with each building to fetch packages from a truck. Sort of a mechanical coal chute, except with a bunch of gotchas.

In my mind, this problem was solved a long time ago. We had these mysterious outlets called stores that you went to and exchanged money for product. The root problem here is that people that consumer product companies care about (ie. not poor brown people) are moving to cities, and the belt of suburban shopping centers isn't serving this population well. IMO this is a good thing, as perhaps it will enable a return to smaller scale retail in vital urban communities.

[ant_li0n]

I personally don't understand why 'last mile' is such a big deal. Personally I would rather just order on walmart.com, have it ready for me to pick up at the store. If I really want it, I can go get it the moment I get the notification. Otherwise, I'll pick it up on the way home from work, or when I'm out and about.

It's silly, but I don't want my neighbors thinking, "damn, they order a lot of packages" and I don't want to worry about an expensive item getting lifted. Seems to me the simplest answer is not to build a robot, but just to make smaller versions of the big box store that are essentially a small warehouse with a front office.

[Spooky23]

Amazon sees a unique opportunity to capture lots of market share and needs a way to build a sustainable business. (Aka takeover the market and raise prices) Amazon’s profit story is all about services.

Big box stores are kind of screwed because they overextended on debt and used financing schemes that front-load tax benefits and create problems down the road unless you always grow.

[icebraining]

What do you think of Amazon's trunk delivery?