SingPost trial to “fundamentally transform the letterbox infrastructure”
Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) has launched a one-year public trial of PostPal, the company’s next-generation smart letterboxes, from December 2020.
Residents of block 202 Clementi Avenue 6 will be the first to experience the convenience, security and accessibility offered by PostPal from 18 December 2020, with those in block 205 joining them in the following weeks. Located at the void decks of both blocks, PostPal is a significant upgrade from the traditional letterboxes in terms of functionality as well as aesthetics.
Its key features include:
1. Customizable: Storage modules within PostPal can be easily adjusted to the mail profile of individual residential blocks. For example, smaller modules can be replaced with larger ones that can hold larger postal packages if the block sees consistently high eCommerce volumes, or during the year-end online sale peak season.
2. Keyless, convenient and safe: Residents will be able to retrieve their mail by scanning a unique QR code dynamically generated by the SingPost app at their PostPal. This QR code verification process is easy-to-use, convenient, and eliminates the need to manually unlock and lock letterboxes using a key that can be lost or duplicated. Residents can also use the app to authorise trusted individuals to collect mail on their behalf.
3. Mail receipt notifications: Residents using the SingPost app will no longer need to periodically “blind-check” their letterboxes, as they will receive mobile notifications whenever mail addressed to their residence is deposited within their PostPal. The app will also be able to check the exact number of mail items pending collection at any point in time.
4. Auto-sorting: Each PostPal is equipped with an auto-sorting machine capable of accurately arranging and storing mail for individual residences. This greatly minimises misdeliveries due to human error while significantly relieving the postman’s daily burden.
“The PostPal trial has the potential to fundamentally transform and refresh the HDB letterbox infrastructure from a simple, letter-oriented lock-and-key structure to a cutting-edge digital system with capabilities beyond mail delivery, while significantly alleviating labour constraints” said Mr Vincent Phang, CEO of Postal Services and Singapore, SingPost.
“Through its myriad functions, PostPal is SingPost’s first step into our Future of Post vision, which aims to revolutionise not just the logistics sector, but also retail and even community services as well. SingPost would like to thank all involved parties for making this possible.”
The proprietary automation solution is co-developed by SingPost and PBA Group (PBA Robotics), a regional Robotics and Automation leader headquartered in Singapore. Pisces Technologies, a homegrown SME specialising in systems automation, and a subsidiary of PBA Robotics, had been working closely with SingPost to rigorously develop and build the latest public trial prototype of PostPal.
The collaboration showcases two Singapore companies joining forces for tech transformation. SingPost brought its expertise and know-how of processes and operations for mailing and parcel distribution, while PBA Robotics provided the automation capabilities and technology.
“PBA Robotics shares a common goal with SingPost – which is to realise the transformative potential of smart letterbox to improve lives in urban Singapore, making robotics tech accessible to the masses”, said Mr Derrick Yap, CEO of PBA Robotics.
“We are proud to bring our robotics capabilities to the table and jointly develop this revolutionary solution with SingPost. We believe that this solution is a game-changer.”
To introduce residents to PostPal, SingPost staff will be on-site at the void deck of block 202 on weekdays (12 noon to 8pm) and weekends (9am to 9pm) from 11 December 2020.
