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uCella is a really cool concept. I mean, who hasn't been left frustrated after the delivery person comes back at the same time every day to deliver a package... uCella sends you a push is a smart mailbox that is secure, has cameras, and sends you a push notification whenever a package is dropped.
Would love to hear more from the founder and @momento_js the CEO how you came up with the idea/design, and a little more about the product?
@nivo0o0 @momento_js this is a really cool idea and something that i think could relieve some pain in the shipping/delivery space. i'm now running through a thought process, trying to play out in my head how it might work with Shyp...seems like there's a natural fit there that could be explored somehow.
@adammarx13 @nivo0o0 we'd love to work with companies like Shyp to create a seamless experience for our customers.
@momento_js Many UPS/FedEx/USPS must finish ALL of their deliveries before they can go home to their families each night. Thus many couriers have a dash and drop (sometimes even a toss it to the door) philosophy.
Do you think a majority of the couriers will take the time to stop, open the unit, tap on a screen, and scan the package?
@chadwhitaker We interviewed many delivery drivers and dispatch managers at distribution centers. They do care about our packages. They hate to leave packages outside since they do get in trouble for missing packages. but like you said, they have to finish their deliveries before they can go home and they definitely don’t want to re-deliver again the next day. uCella gives deliver drivers peace of mind as well.
@momneto_js Interesting idea (addressing a real problem that we all face). How do you plan to educate the delivery folks on actually using it? They might not even know that they have that choice to drop off packages in there or if they should be using it.
@sarthakgrover When we designed the product, we talked to many delivery drivers to make sure it is easy for them to operate. Actually, delivery drivers hate to leave packages by your doors step because they are liable for missing packages. During our field test, we placed a small sticker above our device to give drivers instructions on how to operation. They had no problem following them and after couple deliveries, they just go right to it. We will provide the sticker with every uCella device.
Package delivery is always a mess. All my online purchases get delivered to my work office, because there's always someone to receive them. That's far from being the optimal or easiest process.
My question here regards the level of safety that uCella has to offer. @momento_js How can you guarantee that my packaged inside the unfolded bag is always secure? Yes I know there are cameras and sensors, but is that enough to prevent someone to cut the bag and steal what's inside?
And congrats on the video, really catchy ;)
@dordio This is the exact same thought I had. What stops anyone from cutting the bag/container and stealing whats inside?
![The Matt & Adam Show [Ep. 9] Aaron White - The Unicorn Wrangler](https://ph-files.imgix.net/453259b5-3d01-4257-92f2-0a3742f52f3a.jpeg?auto=compress&codec=mozjpeg&cs=strip&auto=format&w=16&h=16&fit=crop&frame=1)
@dordio When I saw how the box was constructed I had the same thought, but simply putting the package out of sight is a pretty good theft deterrent.
The big assumption/risk I see with this is that it asks slightly more of delivery people. What's to keep them from continuing to leave packages (or no-delivery slips) right in front of your closed and locked uCella?
@adamsigel I disagree. The simple fact that there's a (rather) huge box on the front porch, is tempting enough specially because you don't know if it's a $5 dongle or a thousand dollars laptop. But hey, maybe it's just me who wouldn't like to have an iPad or laptop in my front porch inside a "bag".
The best solution, IMO, would be a contraption that would "save" the item inserted in the box to the interior of your house. But I know a system like this would require breaking the outside wall and complications arise exponentially.
Curiously enough I thought that uCella worked like that when I first saw the first seconds of the GIF.
@momento_js how hard would it be to change the product to something like this?
@dordio
Thanks you all for the comments! The outer shield is made of strong, durable composite materials with inserts. It is definitely not something porch pirates can easily cut or tear open, grab and run. The metal chassis and framing are also very rigid. Our missions is to create a smart, good looking, easy to use and very protective product. All of the features have to work together seamlessly to give our users peace of mind.
@adamsigel @dordio great question! When we designed the product, we talked to many delivery drivers to make sure it is easy for them to operate. Actually, delivery drivers hate to leave packages by your doors step because they are liable for missing packages. During our field test, we placed a small sticker above our device to give drivers instructions on how to operation. They had no problem following them and after couple deliveries, they just go right to it.
Wow, nice! This is so intuitive:
"uCella has an embedded battery as well as a removable/rechargeable battery. A fully charged removable battery will last for around 4 weeks. When the power is below 20%, uCella will send you push notifications to remind you that the battery needs to be recharged. While you are charging the removable battery, uCella can stay alive for 2-3 days thanks to the embedded battery."
So it is smart enough to handle charging in an intelligent way so that uCella still operates even while it is charging - great job @momento_js Once you put the removable battery back in does it recharge the embedded battery?
Looks great! But I was wondering what's stopping a thief to just cut through the cloth and take the package?
@doutatsu The outer shield is made of strong, durable composite materials with inserts. It is definitely not something porch pirates can easily cut or tear open, grab and run. The metal chassis and framing are also very rigid. Our missions is to create a smart, good looking, easy to use and very protective product. All of the features have to work together seamlessly to give our users peace of mind.
@momento_js Love the idea! One thing that wasn't immediately apparent from the video is how a return works. Supposing I order something from Amazon and then leave the package in uCella. How does the courier "unlock" the uCella? Do I have to scan the return barcode that I printed for the box on uCella, and is that the same "key" that unlocks the uCella?
Frankly, after watching this, I think homeowners will legitimately build some sort of "cat/dog door" for packaging. All the young parents I speak to these days do all of their shopping online, and the convenience of having a "dropbox" that is built in to my house will become apparent to more and more people. You're starting the revolution!
@rajamatage we utilize the standard pick-up API from USPS and UPS to enable the pre-labeled return package pickup feature. We issue a four digit passcode in the special instruction section of the request so the carrier drivers know how to unlock the device. thanks for the support!
I keep watching the gif hoping I'll eventually see the package go in the box :(
Great idea, what's the capacity of the boxes?
@seffa121 Lol, couple of my friends said the same thing. Drove them crazy… Please check out all the details on our Indiegogo page - https://www.indiegogo.com/projec...
We have a device capacity picture under technical spec section . Thanks!
Shame this is only initially US, but good luck 🌟 This would be perfect for my apartment as I live in a small village in England where everyone knows everyone including our delivery peeps!
Fantastic concept (:
I live in an apartment building where the mail gets dropped just about anywhere except your front door, so I've been frustrated with it ever since i moved in. Interested to see how uCell could benefit places such as mine.
I was also wondering how you plan on connecting with the couriers/postal employees for return requests?
Good luck!
@hellosunschein We utilize the standard pick-up API from USPS and UPS to enable the return pickup feature. We issue a four digit passcode in the special instruction section of the request so the carrier drivers know how to unlock the device.
@momento_js How does a "delivery person" unlock uCella?
If it unlocks through a package bardcode, couldn't this become a really easy way for porch thieves to unlock uCella and steal the contents?.. e.g "I walk up to a uCella with any BarCoded package, scan it and it opens."
@gloftus1 @gloftus1 Great question! When you setup your uCella app, you can link your email with uCella so it captures tracking numbers from the order receipts. Once a tracking number is in the system, it will be automatically synced to the device. At that point, the uCella device will know that the package with the specific tracking number is arriving and the device can only be unlocked with that code.
I love the idea. I honestly believe you would have a way bigger market with apartments and condo units. My condo building has a concierge service to handle packages and manually check them in. Why not get rid of them and have 4 big uCellas do this instead? Just a thought!
@shuaipayne Wow. Integrating with the shipping providers' api and giving them a passcode is genius. Well done!
I saw this a few days ago and I frickin love it. It's a problem I face regularly (living in BK) and have been hoping for a solution this elegant. Kudos
This is such a great idea ! No need to stress about being home to get those important deliveries.....definitely following this development.
@eddie Hi Ed, uCella will work with onTrac the same way as UPS, USPS and FedEx. It may take couple deliveries to get them adapt to it but it won’t be an issue base on our field test. And we are in contact with these major carriers so we can partner together and deliver the best experience to our joint customers. Thanks!
With an increase of package thefts in the Bay Area, I've been thinking that something like this was needed. Nice work.
uCella