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'Never Miss Another Delivery' - if You Have a TrackPIN (Video)

The company is called TrackPIN, as is the product. Its creator, Mark Hall, showed it off at CES. Timothy pointed his camcorder at Mark as he explained how his product would let you get package deliveries safely when you aren't home by giving the UPS or FedEx (or other) delivery person access to your garage, as well as letting in selected people like your maid, your plumber, and possibly an aquarium cleaner. Each one can have a private, one-time PIN number that will actuate your garage door opener through the (~$250) TrackPIN keypad and tell your smartphone or other net-connected device that your garage was just opened, and by whom. You might even call this, "One small step for package delivery; a giant leap forward for the Internet of Things." Except those of us who don't have garages (not to mention electric garage door openers) may want to skip today's video; the TrackPIN isn't meant for the likes of us. (Alternate Video Link)

3 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. Solves a different problem I'm not sure exists? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I have been home when delivery services have claimed to have attempted delivery

    There's no fix for incompetence

    1. Re:Solves a different problem I'm not sure exists? by green1 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Exactly this. I can't get delivery companies to do more than sprint to the door, hang a card and sprint back to their trucks. You pretty much have to be standing on your front lawn and tackle the guy to actually get your package. If you wait for a knock or the bell to ring it's too late.

      I'd actually prefer if they wouldn't even bother sending my package out for delivery, if I got an email notification when it hit their depot (like I already do) I could drive straight there and pick up my package a day earlier, as it is I have to wait for them to "attempt delivery" and only after that can I drive to that same depot and pick it up myself. Loading the package on to the truck when the guy has no intention of carrying it to your door (yes, this is common!) is a ridiculous waste of everyone's time.

  2. delivery people will never do it by alen · · Score: 5, Insightful

    they have about a second to drop off a package unless it needs a signature. they aren't going to open and close your garage and their employer won't allow them to take on the liability of having the door left open