An estimated 260 million packages were stolen in the U.S. last year.
That’s according to delivery company Arrive, which says it hopes to reverse that number, with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) and its mailbox-as-a-service (MaaS) platform.
The Indiana-based company outlined the features of that platform in a news release Monday (Sept. 18), along with its plans to list on the Nasdaq.
“Arrive leverages AI and ML to not only address theft but also to optimize cost-efficiency in shipping,” the release said.
“This technology can aid in the planning of delivery routes and overall logistics, enhancing the end-to-end customer experience. These smart mailboxes also serve as data centers, gathering valuable information that can improve efficiency, predict delivery windows accurately, and refine the entire delivery process.”
According to the release, Arrive’s MaaS accommodates most deliveries including food, medication, and other items that need protection from theft or adverse weather.
In addition, the company says its smart mailboxes can enhance public safety by helping emergency responders find homes that have called 911 by lighting up and guiding emergency vehicles. It’s a feature that has “earned support from first responders who recognize its potential to streamline emergency responses,” Arrive said.
Arrive is operating at a time when consumers are expressing mixed feelings when it comes to artificial intelligence and delivery. For example, data from PYMNTS’ exclusive report “Connected Dining: The Robot Will Take Your Order Now” found that 71% of respondents said they were uninterested in robotics or automated systems delivering food.
Among consumers with no interest in the technology, 73% listed concerns about job loss and the lack of personal interaction, 65% said they were worried about reliability and order accuracy, and a third said they were disturbed by potential consequences for privacy, security and safety.
At the same time, the latest installment of PYMNTS’ “Consumer Inflation Sentiment Report,” “Consumers Know What AI Is — Not How It’s Integrated Into Their Daily Lives,” finds that when it comes to food, most consumers are leveraging AI to get smarter tips and inspiration.
The study found that nearly 60% of consumers had received AI-powered recommendations from a food delivery service. Against that backdrop, food delivery companies are stepping up their AI capabilities.
For example, both Uber Eats and DoorDash are testing AI chatbots to enhance ordering and help customers find the right food options.
