Skoda is testing a new scheme that lets users choose their car as a delivery address when they shop online, avoiding the hassle of having to wait in for parcels.
The car maker, part of the VW Group, is already piloting technology that allows remote access to a car’s boot on a one-time basis using an app.
When an order is placed by the vehicle owners, the car’s location is displayed to the courier via GPS for delivery.
Using the app, the courier is then granted one-time-only, secured access to open the boot within a pre-defined delivery window.
They then place the parcel in the boot, subsequently relock the vehicle using the app and the customer is notified about the successful delivery.
The courier is also prompted by the app to take photographic evidence of the delivered goods that is stored in the system and sent as confirmation to the customer.
Skoda says security is a paramount issue for the scheme. With this in mind, data is encrypted and the parcel courier is restricted to opening the vehicle within a short time frame that is defined by the customer.
The feature is already being tested in Skoda’s homeland of the Czech Republic.
The car maker has partnered with two of the biggest online retailers in the country – Alaz.cz and Rohlik.cz – to trial the new delivery scheme.
If it’s successful, Skoda says it intends to bring the technology to Britain in the future.
Jarmila Plachá, head of Skoda DigiLab, said: “This pilot project provides a concrete look ahead at how everyday life can be made even simpler and more convenient in future by using state-of-the-art technology.
“I’m looking forward to further developing this project together with our partners.”
