• by Chuck Martin , July 19, 2018

UPS has started a pilot with Latch smart access devices for in-building deliveries to multi-unit homes in New York, according to a company announcement.

The smart locks will be used for deliveries when residents are not at home. A UPS driver taking packages to a building with Latch devices receives a unique credential on a handheld UPS device. When the driver uses the credential to enter a building, Latch records it, including the user and the access time.

A camera in the Latch device also makes a visual record of every interaction by a non-resident, which can be monitored via smartphone.

“The use of smart access devices on doors of apartment and condominium buildings is a big step forward for the package delivery business,” stated Jerome Roberts, UPS vice president of global product innovation. “It can be difficult to securely deliver packages in high-density, multi-family urban residences, especially when people are not at home. Smart access devices give us a keyless way to deliver packages to buildings and leave packages safely in lobbies or building package rooms.”