Get it before you buy it: Amazon patents 'anticipatory package shipping'
Retail giant Amazon is revolutionizing the way online purchases are made, with a new patent scheme that would see items shipped out, before the customer buys them.
On Christmas eve, Amazon patented the “anticipatory
package shipping” process which is expected to expedite
shipments through sending specific items to distribution centers
near those customers who the company expects to buy them in the
near future. The destination will be based on a number of
“business variables”, including customer’s purchase history, wish
lists, saved searches, and general search data.
The patent anticipates the new delivery system in the following
way:
Firstly one or more items will be packed as a “package for
eventual shipment to a delivery address” without specifying
the delivery address but only the “destination geographical
area.” And then while the package is in transit the system
will specify the exact delivery address, when the customer
purchases the item.
The patent also describes “speculatively shipping”
scenarios for the delivery destinations as well as how to
re-route parcels based on proximity of potential buyers, claiming
that packages could remain in continuous transit on trucks until
a customer decides to make a purchase.
“Speculative shipping of packages may enable more
sophisticated and timely management of inventory items, for
example by allowing packages to begin flowing towards potential
customers in advance of actual orders,” the patent says.
If the behavior purchasing pattern fails, Amazon could deliver
the package anyway to build customer loyalty as a gift to someone
who might like it.
It’s not the first time the retail giant has tried to
revolutionize its delivery system. In December the company
announced plans to use ‘octocopter’ mini-drones to deliver goods
to US customers in just 30 minutes. The company said drones will
be able to deliver packages that weigh up to 5lbs (2.3kg), which
represents roughly 86 percent of packages that Amazon delivers.
