[jollybean]

So a mailbox with a lock then?

We should have had that in 1980. 5 'large mailboxes' for the apartment building, the postman sets the code, locks it, and leaves writes the code on a piece of paper and leaves it in your slot.

This is not 'Silicon Valley' innovation.

[Telemakhos]

I do have that in my apartment building. But, instead of a code, the lockboxes have keys that only the postman can remove from them. He locks a package in the box, removes the key, and puts it in the recipient's box. When the recipient checks his mail, he uses the key to open the lockbox and withdraw his package. The key is then stuck in the lockbox lock and cannot be withdrawn again except by the postman.

[jollybean]

These were ubiquitous in airports, bus/train stations and shopping malls before 9/11 i.e. 'coin slot storage'.

I guess people born after a certain age won't remember them, but people born before that will see them as obvious.

This exactly the kind of 'robust, localized and low-cost' solution that we have available to us.

[bradlys]

These also exist in sfh developments where mailboxes are grouped together. Usually part of larger planned communities/developments.

[aix1]

That sounds like a pretty cool system.

[pixel_tracing]

Yes common sense sometimes comes across as cool too

[aix1]

Around here the standard protocol is to just leave packages with a neighbour (there's always someone at home) and leave a card telling where the package is.

[nicoburns]

Electronic locks with electronically delivered opening codes seems like a genuine innovation to me. It's not a fundamentally different concept, but it makes the existing one a lot more practical (e.g. consider the problem of customers stealing keys)

[sudosysgen]

It's much easier to steal a code than a key. Keys work perfectly well, I don't see the issue there.

[chank]

The problem they're trying to solve is that since so many people receive packages these days those '5 large lockable mailboxes' aren't enough anymore and packages end up getting left out in the open. Also lots of places don't have those large lockable mailboxes at all. Then package theft happens. So not so much innovation in the mailbox space than just adding more "lockable mailboxes" for people to use as needed.

[jollybean]

You're missing the point, which is that there are simple solutions to these problems, usually systematic in nature, and 'The Silicon Valley' hasn't helped one iota in helping in this area.

They can have 10 lockers if needed. If they don't have in-wall boxes then put a physical container with a few doors.

They can use the key scheme as described below.

They can leave the package at the Grocery Store across the street, which is a pick-up centre for FedEx and UPS.

Silicon Valley is not solving these problems in any meaningful way.

[the_snooze]

Silicon Valley is solving the problem of not having enough Silicon Valley middlemen in your everyday life.