Amazon Key: The future of parcel delivery is here
from David Haydl 
on October 27, 2017, 9:42 am | Write a comment
Most of them have probably already ordered something from Amazon and could not receive the package in person because they were not at home at the time of delivery. The first way for the postman is to leave the delivery with a neighbor. But now Amazon had an idea how to save yourself the trip to the neighbor. The new service called Amazon Key is also used.
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Basic function and components of the system
With Amazon Key, parcels can be parked directly in your own four walls by a postman, for the time being only in the USA, if the owner of the house is not present. That should work with the Amazon Key In - Home Kit. This kit consists of a few individual parts.
This is what the new Amazon Cloud Camera looks like (Image: © 2017 Business Insider)
The first thing you need is a security lock that is attached to the entrance door. This can be used on the one hand as a normal door lock of a smart home system, but in the case of Amazon Key it also opens the door to the house or apartment for the messenger. Then you need the Amazon cloud security camera. This camera looks pretty similar to the IQ Cam from the smart home manufacturer Nest and is attached in the entrance area of your own four walls. It is used to document the delivery process. The Amazon Key App, which you also need for the system, is available to view the videos.
But how does it all work in practice?
The process is basically very simple. As soon as an Amazon delivery man approaches the house, he can scan the barcode on the package. This compares with the cloud whether the package is being delivered to the right house and whether everything is correct. Once this process is complete, two things will happen.
And this is how the available door locks look like (Image: © 2017 Amazon)
First, the security camera in the entrance area is activated and the owner of the house receives a notification on his smartphone and can follow the delivery live. Alternatively, you can watch the video retrospectively in the Amazon Key app. To make this possible, the camera is permanently connected to the home WiFi. As soon as the camera has fully activated, the security lock opens for the postman and the parcel can be parked.
My Opinion
With their new service, Amazon had an idea that is future-proof. I imagine that my package is already in the house when I enter it, which is very practical. In addition, this can prevent the parcel from disappearing when it is handed over to neighbors, as one hears often enough in the news.
But this system has a downside that you should definitely think about before making a purchase. With every delivery that you do not accept yourself, you grant someone else access to your own house. It would be a frightening feeling for me if I had to worry about every delivery that nothing will be missing in my house afterwards. But in the end everyone has to decide for themselves.
Prices and availability
Amazon is launching its new service Amazon Key on November 8th of this year. Initially, it will be available to Prime customers in 37 US states. The Amazon Key In - Home will be available for purchase for US $ 250.
