How to Make a Secured Parcel Pickup Box with Arduino

It isn't anyone's favorite thing to have to pick up a parcel full of parts from a courier's pickup station, but being able to do that around the clock without adhering to opening times or the timing of the delivery driver is convenient. And Clem sells stuff online, so sometimes his local customers like to save on shipping costs by picking items up in person.
Since Clem can't be available 24/7, he decided to build an open-source electronic pickup box! A 6-digit code sent via email is all the customer needs to get their desired item from the box, which is powered by an Arduino Leonardo and wrapped in a convenient and easy-to-use shield.
Discuss the episode, download all the code and CAD for free, and ask Clem questions on the element14 Community! bit.ly/3DVesn2
Shop - Arduino Leonardo: bit.ly/3DonsQg
Project - How to Use an ESP32 & Camera to Know You've Got Mail! bit.ly/3eA51Q5
Engage with the element14 presents team on the element14 Community - suggest builds, find project files, and see behind the scenes video: bit.ly/3tmdewv
Visit the element14 Community for more great activities and free hardware: bit.ly/3q6YMpu
Tech Spotlights: bit.ly/3qPrDhM
RoadTest and Reviews: bit.ly/3pV5Bux
Project14: bit.ly/31wbnJY
#0:00 Welcome to element14 presents
#0:37 Overview
#1:16 What's In The Box?!
#5:54 The Schematic
#9:36 The Keypad
#10:43 The Code
#12:10 Final Assembly
#13:01 Pick Up Test!
#14:32 Give your Feedback
#arduino #arduinoproject #arduinoprojects #arduinolove #mailbox #dropbox

[@imanoleonardo6902]

This the kind of practical stuff we can use, not toys or gimmicks, great job!

[@MAYERMAKES]

Thanks I hope it helps someone built their oen box.

[@silentmodetv]

Would like a custom button overlays video!

[@ChadKapper]

Another fantastic project Clem!! Thx

[@MAYERMAKES]

thanks Chad!

[@MAYERMAKES]

You may have noticed that Iḿ not wearing glasses in this episode. If you know aboutthe wearabouts of my glasses please tell them I miss them and would happily welcome them home...

[@tramcrazy]

Sorry Clem 😢
I find it annoying when I lose my glasses

[@Workshopshed]

Normally I leave them on the top of my head

[@MAYERMAKES]

You can see an extended vide oabout the Arduino Code and PCB design on the element14 community(link below the video), and also thanks to Aisler for providing me with these PCBS!

[@xXDeltaXxwhotookit]

Are you leaving the cam locks in place? Might be worth removing the internal cam - just so that they can't rotate and lock the door

[@MAYERMAKES]

i left them in place for now , so I just Lock it when its empty, but removing the internal cams is a good idea when its in daily use.

[@awo1fman]

This is a cool project, but it needs to have only the keypad outside and all the other electronics should be inside. That would also have the benefit of allowing you to use a readily available commercial keypad that is durable and completely weatherproof.

[@awo1fman]

And it would also allow you to easily change or add technologies. You could add biometrics, NFC, or any number of other readers (or displays, like for dynamic QR codes) to give other options for people with various physical issues or to make it easier for you to insert packages. Add a sensor, update the code and go!

[@MAYERMAKES]

Sounds like you would like a part 2

[@amrelsharkawy6701]

So .. how is the delivery man supposed to place your items inside the box ?

[@MAYERMAKES]

Not the delivery man. you place it and your customer picks it up.

[@photonic]

You should add a second method for opening the box in case the battery or Arduino fails.

[@thesmashtvnetwork]

a swipe card be nice too

[@Hacker-at-Large]

You can open the controller box and directly apply 12V to the relay.

[@thesmashtvnetwork]

@@Hacker-at-Large what about for muti package haveing package theft issue

[@MAYERMAKES]

Please post your ideas on the element14 page(link in description), i get notificstions there and its much easier to tdlk about them there with pictures and links.

[@jort93z]

Am I understanding it right that you could just short A3 to ground to open the thing? Just ripping the top thing off and cutting the cable might already open it on accident. Otherwise, you could also just put the battery up to the solenoid cables to open it.
Usually you'd want to put the thing checking the code and controlling the solenoid(the arduino in this case) inside the lock box, and only expose the keypad to the outside.
It is more secure than no box at all, of course, but not very secure at all.

[@MAYERMAKES]

First, this is an arduino project not a safety device, so of course there are ways, as with anything to defeat it.
in case you rip off the top case(screwed from inside) you could cut the cable , but that would not open it as the solenoid needs to have power applied to move.
Shorting A3 to gnd would do it, but first you would need to know that to try. The Electronics are not on the inside for a super specific reason: I have no way to make a clean cutout in the box at moment and time was running out. So yes, there are ways to get in, as with any locked box. The battery is on the inside and does not fit through the hole for the cable, so for activating the solenoid you need to bring your own battery.
The thing we learn from this is that violence finds a way.

[@Workshopshed]

Jort, you are assuming the attacker has watched the video 😁

[@Workshopshed]

A crowbar would likely work too.

[@MAYERMAKES]

@@Workshopshed Violence enters everything

[@awo1fman]

@@Workshopshed No, this is actually a well-known and often exploited vulnerability with cheap commercial products. There's no point in having a code if all they have to do is get to the solenoid wires and activate it.
The decoding should ALWAYS take place inside the strongbox. Any readers (biometric, keypad, NFC, optical scanner, etc.) has to be outside to be used, but it should never be possible to unlock the container from the outside with any combination of wires or a power supply.

[@sotecluxan4221]

[@MAYERMAKES]

Thx