The first unit of the new generation of parcel lockers has already been put into operation in Stockholm. A wider rollout is expected during August, with 19,440 new locker compartments to be placed throughout Sweden.
Following the Swedish launch, Instabee’s other European markets are next in line, with the goal of having the network in place before the upcoming peak e-commerce season.
To ensure the lockers blend into outdoor environments, the company has developed a design that can withstand the elements, while also making installation more flexible to avoid asphalt work or groundworks.
The next step for the lockers is not just about technology, but also about where they can be placed and how easy they are to use. We want to bring deliveries even closer to consumers and make parcel lockers a natural part of residential areas. That’s why we’ve rethought everything from design and power supply to installation and user experience, says Joakim Slettengren, Chief Growth Officer at Instabee Group.
Powered by Solar and Battery
To enable placement near homes, Instabee has eliminated the need for a fixed electricity connection. The lockers are instead equipped with adjustable solar panels that charge a built-in battery. According to the company, the first locker in Stockholm is currently running on 100 percent solar energy.
Even on cloudy days, the solar panels should be able to provide a large part of the power required by the facility. The battery system is also built to withstand Nordic winters and should function in temperatures between minus 30 and plus 60 degrees Celsius.
In addition to the hardware, the approach to how packages are collected is also changing. The company has chosen to remove the requirement for customers to download an app or use Bluetooth to unlock the compartments.