Payment tech company Worldpay is experimenting with a new drone technology to combat parcel fraud. The prototype involves a drone landing pad that customers put in front of their door, which doubles as a doormat.
The concept uses EMV contactless payment card technology to verify the identity of the recipient, which is embedded in the drone landing pad. When a drone lands to drop off the package, the card details stored within the doormat are read automatically. If the information matches, the parcel is released.
Drone deliveries are expected to explode in the next few years with numerous companies experimenting with the technology in order to expedite shipments, decrease shipping costs and make delivery more secure.
The new tech could allow online shoppers to have a package delivered to a location that is convenient to them, and also be able to check the item before accepting it. For merchants, the prototype system could help reduce delivery complaints, which typically cost retailers time, money and lost customers, Worldpay said.
"Drones are already proving invaluable to certain industries, from search and rescue, to environmental research, so there is undoubtedly a huge potential market for delivery too,” said Phil Pomford, general manager for Asia Pacific, global enterprise e-commerce at Worldpay Inc. “Our data suggests that consumers are becoming increasingly open to the notion of drone delivery. Nevertheless, there are still several logistical hurdles that need to be addressed before it becomes commonplace. The weight of the package and flying distance both remain potential barriers to adoption, in addition to ensuring that parcels are delivered to the correct customer."