Jacksonville is one of 37 cities across the county where Amazon will deliver packages to locked cars that are unattended via remote unlocking.
The new program, launched on Tuesday, is an expansion of Amazon’s Key service. It gives Amazon Prime customers the option of letting a courier access their cars to leave packages in the truck or back seat via the automobile’s electronic unlocking system.
The service works currently on certain 2015 and newer Chevrolets, Buicks, GMCs, Cadillacs or Volvos with an active OnStar or Volvo On Call account.
Remotely unlocking cars has been around for years via certain automotive manufacturer apps and through General Motor’s OnStar service but this is the first large scale effort to expand an automobile’s remote access beyond the owner and automotive manufacturer.
Amazon is touting the convenience of the feature - that would for example - allow someone to have a package delivered to their unattended car at work, as opposed to having it left unattended on an outside doorway at home.
Would you trust @Amazon enough to give the company access to your car?— WJCT (@WJCTJax) April 25, 2018
Amazon’s Key program was first launched in October.
The original program – which is also available in Jacksonville – allows homeowners to give Amazon couriers access to their homes to drop off packages inside.
The home electronic lock service includes a camera and app that costs $250 – including installation - and requires an Amazon Prime membership.
“Since launching Amazon Key last November, we’ve safely delivered everything from cameras to collectable coins inside the home. Customers have also told us they love features like keyless guest access and being able to monitor their front door from anywhere with the Amazon Key App,” said Peter Larsen, Amazon Vice President of Delivery Technology in a statement.
“In-car delivery gives customers that same peace of mind and allows them to take the Amazon experience with them. And, with no additional hardware or devices required, customers can start ordering in-car delivery today,” Larsen said.
Amazon Prime memberships typically cost $99 a year in the U.S.
General Motors' OnStar and Volvo On Call are also subscription services, which tend to come with some free-of-charge periods but can run up to $350 a year, according to NPR.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
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