Amazon can deliver packages to your car (for US Prime-Customers)
Amazon has added a new feature to its Amazon Key offering which allows Prime members to receive free in-car deliveries. Under this, the delivery person essentially arrives, uses Amazon's Key app to unlock your car, puts the package into the trunk of your car, and then locks it again. The service has been launched in 37 metro areas in the US.
Enter your car details into the Key app
The existing Amazon Key service allows delivery persons to enter your house with the help of a smart lock on your door while you track them with a smart security camera through the Key app. Similarly, in case of in-car deliveries, you can input your car's make, model, and color in the Key app and then authorize Amazon to access it for deliveries.
Get packages directly into cars that are publicly parked
Once you've entered the information, you'll start seeing the option of in-car delivery during check-out. The Key app also lets you specify what the delivery person should do in case you're not home. He can, for example, come back the next day for an in-car delivery or deliver to your home address. In-car delivery can be availed for all servies: same-day, two-day, and standard shipping.
In-car deliveries only available for Volvo and GM connected cars
In-car deliveries are currently only available for GM cars (2015 or newer) with an active OnStar subscription and Volvo cars (2015 or newer) with an active Volvo On Call account. Further, to avail this option, your package can't weigh over 50 pounds, can't exceed 26 x 21 x 16 inches in size, can't value over $1,300, and can't be from a third-party seller.
You are in full control all the time: Amazon
Amazon reasserts you can block access to your car any time you want through the Key app and even choose to change the delivery location. If vehicle access is blocked, Amazon will automatically default to your backup delivery location. While there is no option of tracking the delivery via a video feed like with the in-house service, you're constantly notified as the delivery happens.
Delivery persons don't have direct access to the car
Amazon's delivery person locates the car through GPS and verifies it through the Key app. He then requests the GM or Volvo connected car service to unlock it. This means he never has direct access to the car. The request goes over to the specific company's cloud, where the unlock command is issued. Amazon also doesn't have access to customers' connected car login details.
