The present disclosure describes a method for operating a mailbox, the method comprising: detecting a motion in proximity to the mail box; engaging a lock based at least partially on the detecting of the motion; and disengaging the lock after a predetermined amount of time has passed after detecting of the motion, in the absence of detecting additional motion.

A fleet for delivering packages comprising a first number of containers, each container comprising at least one compartment for receiving packages at a main distribution center. The container comprises a first attachment member on an outer surface and a second attachment member on an outer surface. The fleet comprises a second number of long-range transports, each long-range transport is configured to carry multiple containers from the main distribution center to an intermediate distribution center, each long-range transport comprising multiple first attachment receivers, whereby the multiple containers are attached to the long-range transports during transport from the main distribution center to the intermediate distribution center. The fleet comprises a third number of short-range tractors, each short-range tractor is configured to carry at least one container from the intermediate distribution center to delivery destinations for the packages in the container, each tractor comprising at least one second attachment receiver, whereby the at least one container is attached to the short-range tractor during transport from the intermediate distribution center to the delivery destinations and back to the intermediate distribution center. The third number is at least twice as large as the second number and wherein the first number is at least twice as large as the third number.

Exemplary embodiments relate to an apparatus comprising a receiving device (200) configured to receive a package (1) delivered via an airborne drone (100). The receiving device (200) includes a receptacle (201), an optical scanner (208), a transceiver (207), and at least one light emitter (204) in operative connection with a computer (203). The optical scanner (208) is operative to read optical indicia that includes a delivery code. The transceiver (207) is operative to receive a signal that includes a verification code and an encrypted one time code from the drone (100). If the verification code has a predetermined relationship with the delivery information, the computer (203) is operative to decrypt the one time code and to transmit an encrypted optical signal through the at least one light emitter (204) whereby the drone (100) is enabled to identify the receiving device (200) and to position the package (1) therein.

A control apparatus includes a controller configured to generate an electronic key for unlocking a storage configured to be locked with an article stored therein, and a communication interface configured to transmit the electronic key generated by the controller to a terminal apparatus of a user in a case in which the user is forecasted to arrive at a store after a time slot for providing the article at the store has passed.

A method for transporting a plurality of articles with a transportation container that can be carried in a transport container of one of a plurality of robots. The plurality of articles is placed in the transportation container. The transportation container is placed in a pickup location at a first location. A robot is navigated to the first location and the transportation container is autonomously moved from the pickup location to the transport container of the robot. The robot is navigated over an outdoor transportation network to a second location and the transportation container is autonomously moved from the transport container to a recipient location at the second location.

An electronic locker system for parcel deposit and pick-up, comprising: a remote shipping system, a long distance communication network, at least one mobile device communicating via the long distance communication network with the remote shipping system, at least one parcel locker constituted of at least one autonomous compartments cluster including at least one compartment equipped with a door and including a locking module, which electronically controls locking and unlocking of the door and which establishes a local communication with the at least one mobile device via a short distance communication, wherein the locking module comprises: an energy management module configured for managing transitions of energy modes and allowing the at least one autonomous compartments cluster to be run in a deep sleep mode or in a sleep mode and regularly allowing a wake-up from said deep sleep mode to said sleep mode, a radio transceiver module equipped with an antenna, and at least one processor running a firmware configured for, while in the sleep mode, regularly emitting with the radio transceiver module a broadcasted short message towards the at least one mobile device.

An elevated delivery platform having a delivery surface that can be placed at a location off the ground to better facilitate delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles, such as delivery drones, is provided. By placing the elevated delivery platform in an area above the ground, such as atop a home or a pole, a drone is more capable of making deliveries because it avoids obstacles nearer to the ground that typically make drone delivery challenging. The elevated delivery platform raises and lowers parcels to a position where they can easily be retrieved. Some systems also provide a deployable cover to protect parcels from adverse weather conditions while awaiting pickup or following delivery. The elevated delivery platform can be used as part of a drone delivery system that can also include a containment unit, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.

Defrost system for smart locker in package delivery are disclosed herein. An example method can include receiving a delivery message from a delivery unit that a package is to be delivered to a locker unit, the delivery message including an expected delivery time, determining a frozen condition for the locker unit, and activating a defroster element associated with the locker unit before delivery of the package by the delivery unit according to expected delivery time.

The UGV 1 is configured to move the article stored in the storing chamber B1 to the storing chamber B2 and perform the temperature control for the storing chamber B2 in a case where it is determined that the predetermined condition regarding the article stored in the storing chamber B1 among the plurality of storing chambers B is satisfied.

A method for operating electronic lockers for parcel deposit and collection and pick-up wherein a remote shipping system transmits to at least one mobile device via a long distance communication network data related to parcels to be handled by at least one electronic locker and wherein a user operates the at least one electronic locker with the at least one mobile device via a short distance communication network without using a user interface of the at least one electronic locker and wherein the at least one electronic locker using the at least one mobile device via the short distance communication network transmits data related to parcels handling during the user operation of the at least one electronic locker.