In November last year, Amazon launched an in-home delivery service called Amazon Key. It requires the use of Amazon's Cloud Cam and a compatible smart lock so Amazon delivery drivers can enter your home to drop off a package safely.
Now this same service is being rolled out for in-car delivery.
Amazon Key In-Car Delivery is free for Prime members and allows an order to be delivered to your parked car, either in the trunk or left on or under one of the seats. To begin with, 37 cities and the surrounding areas across the US will have the option of Key In-Car deliveries, but it requires a connected car.
Compatible cars include a 2015 or newer Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac with an active OnStar account. Alternatively, a 2015 or newer Volvo with an active Volvo On Call account also works. More cars and locations are expected to be added "over time."
Prime members need to download the Amazon Key app and link their account to their connected car. After that, a delivery location area is registered, which could be your driveway or a work parking lot, for example. As long as your car is in the registered delivery area, Amazon will deliver your order to it.
Amazon is trying to quell any security fears customers have by explaining how verification is done. Every time a delivery driver requests access to a vehicle, Amazon verifies they are in the right location and have the right package. Only then is the car unlocked for the delivery to take place. Upon delivery, the Amazon Key app will notify the customer and an activity feed will show when the car was unlocked and relocked again.
Although allowing a stranger access to your car is a little creepy, it's far less creepy than allowing them to enter your home. The requirement of a connected car is a limiting factor right now, but that's sure to change in the coming years as new cars are connected by default.