Quick Link ▼
Overview
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Problem
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Research
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Proposal
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Package Guard Prototype (Box)
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Rainforest Prototype (App)
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Present/Outcome
WHAT I DID
Research& Analysis
Body storming
3D Product Mockup
Wire framing
Prototyping
High Fidelity Screens
Overview ▼

Rainforest – Package Guard

Rainforest is an application to access Package Guard. Package Guard is a customizable & cost-efficient smart delivery box that is easy to assemble, easy to use, yet protect your packages safely.
TOOLS USED
AdobeXd/Ps/Ai/Dn
Superposition
Rhinoceros 3D
Laser Cutting Machine
3D printer
TEAM MEMBER
Alex Borthwick
Anukalp Goel
Nikhil Konduru
Toronto Designathon |University of Toronto – 2nd Place – 36 hours competition – Jan 2020
Problem ▼
● Every day 1.7 million packages are stolen or go missing across America.

● 2019 survey by insuranceQuotes.com reported nearly 1 in 4 Americans report having a package stolen, and on average each stolen item costs $109 to replace.

● 42% of surveyed Americans avoid buying expensive items online due to theft.

● Even with cameras, the chances of catching them are slim - out of 2000 consumers,  only 11% reported the thief was eventually caught.

● By 2026 expected we’re going to have over  100 million packages a day - so we’re going to need a system

● Worst of all, being home during the day does not prevent package theft.
Chart from "xtown.la"
1 in 4 Americans report having a package stolen.
9 billion dollars absorbed by sellers like amazon.
53% stated they have changed their plans to make sure they were home for a package, despite not having to sign for it.
Research ▼

Current Solution

▲ Doorbell Camera: Porch pirates won't stop stealing because of a camera.
▲ Takes Owner Too Long to Open.
Mail man don’t use it.
No Smart Connectivity, won't notify you when package delivered.
High Cost (Average over $550)Wiring and Power Outlet Required.
▲ Amazon Key: Pay $250 to give strangers total access to your home.
If the power goes out, you can't go out or go back in.
Only Amazon special delivery man can use it.
What are some alternative solutions people have use against porch pirates?
● Contacting neighbors to keep the package safe when you are not at home (But both you and the neighbors don't know when it will arrive).

● Having the package delivered to a delivery location then be left at their door.
To design the best storage size for the Package Guard, we did more research on the general size of the Amazon and FedEx box sizes.
A standard-size item is one that, when fully packaged, weighs 20 lb. or less and does not exceed: 
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● 18 inches on its longest side
● 14 inches on its median side
● 8 inches on its shortest side
Proposal ▼
Proposed Conceptual Design:
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1. Metal sheets that can connect to form storage box, where size can be increased by connecting more sheets.
2. Delivery man scans QR code of package on phone, takes him to a webpage where it scans for Package Guard using Bluetooth and asks the delivery man if he wants to open it.
3. The owner can open it through the Rainforest app, voice assistant, or a key (failsafe measure).

Things to consider:
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1. Rain, snow will get in when opened. Hinges freezing or wearing out.
2. Metal sheets are very cheap to manufacture and ship, however, we need to consider some eco-friendly material.
3. Can Solar-powered batteries (ex. In calculators) provide enough power for the motor to perform lock and unlock?
4. Alexa integration - “Alexa, open my Package Guard”


Package Guard Prototype ▼
We overthink too much and made things too complicated:
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The joint was a smart design, however, when connecting with sheets, the side of the joints stick out unevenly. And since part of our initial goal was to make bigger storage space (bigger box) by combining more boxes. The uneven volume will make large scale customization difficult. Not to mention the cap of the box will be difficult to design and install the lock mechanism.
Physical Prototype (1)
But... this is what physical prototypes all about, making a physical representation of an idea, and finding its flaws... so we will call it a success.
This prototype is a scale down version of the actual product ▲
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Using laser cut and 3D print, we built our second prototype that is power and control by Arduino. We redesign the joint into cylinder shapes and solved the previous problem(see physical prototype 1), it also made it easier for the user to assemble and customize. We replace the previous four bolts with screwable caps at the bottom. Saving assemble time and material.

Big selling points of our product:
● Large-scale customizability (size, look, name).
● Easy installation like IKEA.
● Low cost - Easy to manufacture.
● Simple and quick package drop of and pick up system.
● No wiring/power outlet or WIFI requirement
● Smooth visual integration into outdoor home décor.
● More intuitive design because the user (Both mailman and owner) will never have to remember a password.
Physical Prototype (2)
Package Guard visual mockup.
Owner side User flow + Wireframe ▼
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1. Owner gets notification of their package has been delivered.
2. Owner taps on the Rainforest app or the notification to open the app.
3. Owner clicks on the "open" button after connected to Package Guard Bluetooth (If the owner owns multiple Package Guard at different locations) to open the box and take out their package.
4. Owner can also checks on other Package Guard status at other locations.
5. Owner can order more Package Guard through the Rainforest app, and combine them into a bigger box or customize the look of the box. The owner can also view detailed tutorials on how to assemble, combine, and customize their box in the app.‍
Delivery person side User flow + Wireframe ▼
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1.Delivery person opens the Camera app.
2.Delivery person scans the QR code on the package.
3.Delivery person clicks on the "open" button within Bluetooth range (double security) to open the Package Guard.
Rainforest High fidelity Prototype ▼
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Owner Side of View ▲
- Manage your Package Guard and track your packages.

Fast – One tap opens your Package Guard.
‍Manage and track all your package in one place.
Customize and learn how to build additional Package Guard.
Delivery person side of view ▲
- Simple and quick package drop off.

Save Time – No password required.
Simple – No application requires, only 3 tap process.
Safe – Dual safety, delivery man has to be in Bluetooth range and also has the QR code on the package.
Rainforest simple visual style guide ▼
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‍- Create a friendly and inclusive UI
‍Because our time was very limited, we only try to align our common vision of what the app will look like. The rest settled as we design and communicate with one another.
Voice Control User Flow ▼
Present/Outcome ▼
A recap of our Rainforest app and the Package Guard:
‍Rainforest is an application to access Package guard. And the Package Guard is a storage box that we develop that is easy to assemble, easy to use, yet protect your packages safely. The box is cheap to manufacture because it only contains 4 different items to manufacture. You can assemble the box into different sizes with one box being enough to storage 75% of the usual package. And by adding a backrest, you can transform it into a bench. The Package guard only contains a Bluetooth microcontroller to receive Bluetooth signals send from your phone. We decide to use Bluetooth signal because it has low battery consumption and it also cut down the price by removing the camera, WIFI receiver, etc. that other package storage boxes have(you can also unlock it with a key make it elderly-friendly) The Package guard mainly power by a solar panel and support battery. It can also be open with Alexa and Siri's voice recognition (face recognition). And the notification will be sent to your phone once the package arrives at your Package guard.
Outcome and Improvement ▼
After 36 hours of exciting yet exhausting researching, planning, and designing. We presented our pitch to two groups of judges. They love our solution and design so much that some of them started to record our app prototype and thought we actually code it. We listen to their feedback and had concluded things we could improve if we had more time:
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1.How are we going to make this weatherproof? For example, cities that don't have frequent sunny days cannot rely on the small solar panel.
A $4-$6 dollar lithium coin-cell battery can provide up to a 10-year battery lifetime (on average 3-6 years) in the absence of system power, which is more than enough. If users in areas without frequent sunlight really worry about their batteries, we simply need to add a battery indicator to show the user if they need to replace the battery.

2.How are we going to implement this into the market?
Pitch to Amazon and start to do small scale experimentation with product in small cities. Introduce to the user what value this product brings, how it is doing better than other package secure boxes. Receive feedback from users and slowly define the appropriate market. Along with age and demographic factors, such as where users are located, what jobs they hold, and what spending power they have. Next, start reaching the right marketplace and promote the product, and consider external marketing. Last but not least, build a solid, loyal customer relationship. Whether is a good support team or build a better experience.
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Check out some of my other works.
◀ History Classroom
PharmaMed ▶

This doesn't have to end.
Email me at leogeng.slgz@gmail.com and let's talk about anything!

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