Get Notifications of Package Deliveries Using the Raspberry Pi-Based PiDeliverySystem

I can’t count the number of times I’ve missed package deliveries, even when home. Sure, USPS, UPS, FedEx, and others have a delivery notification system that alerts you to deliveries, but in my experience, they aren’t consistent. In a day and age where porch pirates will take anything that isn’t nailed down, it would be nice to have a reliable platform that alerts you when packages arrive, which is what Jeff (of Jeff’s Technology) claims with his PiDeliverySystem.

The platform provides three notifications when parcels are delivered, including an SMS message, email, and even a verbal (audible) alert. When it comes to the build, the PiDeliverySystem is about as simple as they come, as it features a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, a Pi Camera, an auxiliary compatible speaker (optional for audible notification), and a weatherproof case to handle the elements.

PiDeliverySystem users position the platform outside, preferably near their door and instruct the delivery person (you can leave instructions for some carriers on their website) to press a button on the system when delivering a package. The system then boots up and sends you alert messages via a Twilio account, or other preferred messaging app, and then takes a picture of the package being delivered.

Of course, the platform only works if the button is pushed to engage the system, which can be a crapshoot depending on the delivery driver. There also doesn’t appear to be any power source for the system, so you will have to supply your own in some form or another. The problem I’m having here, is that while Jeff’s idea is a good one, there are several issues that need to be rectified before I would put it to use- lack of power, theft, and having to instruct delivery people to power on the platform doesn’t seem like such a good idea. A secure, automated route seems more advantageous in this situation.