No more missed deliveries: Amazon trials technology that will let drivers leave parcels INSIDE your home

• Two firms close to Amazon may be involved in a project for ‘home access’
• The online retailer is said to be planning a trial of the new technology  
• Delivery drivers would use a one-time access code to people’s homes
• The codes would open smart locks to gain access to hallways or garages 
• Amazon has not yet reveal when or where the trial will take place

October 6, 2016: The world’s biggest online retailer may soon solve the most challenging problem of postal delivery: what to do when no one’s home.

Not content with leaving packages with a neighbour or dropping a redelivery note through the letterbox, Amazon is looking to technology to deliver parcels to people’s homes, even when they’re not in.

The retailer is reportedly planning to trial ‘home access’ deliveries, where drivers are given one-off access to a customer’s home to leave the package.

According to Engadget, two companies close to Amazon are looking at developing smart locks which would provide delivery drivers with a code for a customer’s garage or hallway, where they could leave the package.

Smart lock manufacturer August already offers users the ability to answer the door bell, and even lock and unlock their doors via a smartphone app, while Garegio enables home owners to control their garage door in the same way.

The move could prove to be a boon for customers unable to receive deliveries at work, or whose buildings do not have a porter or tradesmen’s access.

It could also spell the end for those plagued by deliveries from shopaholic neighbours unable to take their deliveries.

Customers would likely select the option at checkout and a one-time access code for a smart lock or garage door would be sent to the delivery driver, providing them with limited access to an area of the person’s home to leave the package.

Once the delivery is made, the code would then be unusable and only the home owner would have access.

Full details of Amazon’s plans are yet to emerge, including when and where any potential trial could take place, as are details on how the firm would allay potential fears around security.

Amazon is exploring a number of ways to improve and automate its deliveries, including trialing drones to deliver parcels by air.

In Germany, a trial with DHL and Audi has also looked at delivery drivers leaving packages in the boot of people’s car.