QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) in partnership with the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) Manila launched the first Filipino-engineered smart locker for packages this Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at the TIP Manila.
The DALA Smart Lockbox is a system of reception boxes that serves as a drop-off area for the courier service personnel and a collection point for the customers as an alternative to home delivery options.
“Since some of us are not around to receive your packages, your parcels, your mails even, we experience this instance when the courier had to do a re-delivery because you’re not around to receive it, they cannot even leave it at your doorstep because it will violate their normal policies,” DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit said.
In a demonstration presented during its soft-launch, the DALA Smart Lockbox was showcased as a smart locker facility that can be integrated into the e-commerce platform. Consumers may use the smart lockbox by following these steps:
Step 1: The consumer orders product in the e-commerce platform.
Step 2: The consumer checks out the order. Provide the information needed especially the contact number.
Step 3: The consumer can select the DALA Lockbox as the delivery address. Then choose the location of the DALA Lockbox.
Step 4: A delivery code will be sent to the courier. This delivery code will be used to open the DALA Smart locker. The courier will then input this code on the DALA locker monitor.
Step 5: The courier will then choose the available locker to place in the parcel/package. The DALA smart locker will then send an SMS to the consumer that the parcel has been delivered.
Step 6: The consumer will receive a pick-up code that will be entered into the DALA locker monitor. An OTP will be sent to the consumer, which will be typed in again on the DALA monitor.
Step 7: The DALA locker containing the consumer’s parcel will be opened.
The DALA Smart Lockbox is composed of lockers of different sizes meant for various parcel sizes. As an additional security feature upon delivery, the DALA Smart Lockbox will not proceed if the locker will not detect a parcel/package placed inside it.
TIP Manila VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Rosalinda P. Valdepeñas explained that the DALA Smart Lockbox uses a technology that revolutionizes the world of logistics and e-commerce and will redefine convenience, security, and efficiency in the delivery of packages.
“This idea was started in 2016 during the first year of implementation of the Technopreneurship 101 course that became part of all the engineering curricula of TIP… the DALA Smart Lockbox is a game-changing solution that shall re-shape the way we send and receive parcels, streamlining the entire process from start to finish,” VPAA Valdepeñas stated.
DOST acknowledged the vision of the DALA smart lockbox, which will allow individuals to easily collect their parcels at their convenience, eliminating the need to wait for delivery personnel or worry about missed deliveries.
DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit stated that the said project is timely and relevant to keep our commerce industry thriving as it introduces some more elements like efficiency and the way we deliver our goods.
“We believe that technology such as those developed through the DALA Smart lockbox could help our courier services even our post offices deliver and optimize their services more efficiently by adding it as an option that could make mailing result in swift and secure deliveries,” DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit stated.
DALA Smart Lockbox system is the first Filipino-engineered network of solutions. It promotes a contactless, practical and autonomous way of delivering products to consumers. “DALA” came from the Filipino word “padala,” which means to carry. (dost/pia-ncr)
