A novel approach to receiving goods ordered online could mean that you never have to worry about being at home when the postman or courier service arrives.
Volvo tested the idea of using its cars as a postal address earlier this year but now, with the festive season about to change up into top gear, the company is officially rolling out the service initially in Sweden.
When ordering goods, consumers can give their car -- provided it's a Volvo fitted with the company's On Call Service -- as the delivery address. The courier can then locate where the car is parked -- at home, the office or in town -- and using a one-time digital key, gain access to the trunk in order to drop off the parcel.
"Christmas is fun -- but let's be honest, it is also a busy time for most families. This service simply makes shopping easier," said Björn Annwall, Senior Vice President for Marketing, Sales and Service at Volvo. "Volvo In-car Delivery provides concrete proof that connected car technologies can be used to save people time and make their lives easier."
To launch the service, Volvo is partnering with a number of specific Nordic businesses that sell toys, gifts and groceries as well as with the region's biggest communications and logistics supplier, PostNord. But this is just the start. Volvo hopes to be able to offer the service to its drivers in other countries in the near future.
"Volvo is not interested in technology for the sake of technology," said Klas Bendrik, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Volvo. "If a technology does not make a customer's life easier, better, safer or more fun, we don't use it."
