Amazon Plans to Make New Delivery System with Buses

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Category: Technology/Innovations

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. take advantage of (someone/something) / teɪk ædˈvæntɪʤ əv / (idiom) – to use something for your benefit
    Example:

    Many new companies are taking advantage of technology to save money.


  2. catch / kætʃ / (n) – a disadvantage that is usually not easy to see
    Example:

    Most services offered at low prices have a catch.


  3. mobile / ˈmoʊbəl / (adj) – able to move from one place to another
    Example:

    There is a mobile bookstore that visits different cities in our country.


  4. make rounds / meɪk rɑʊndz / (idiom) – to go around an area repeatedly
    Example:

    The bus makes rounds in our city from eight in the morning to five in the afternoon.


  5. retrieve / rɪˈtriːv / (v) – to get something
    Example:

    I was able to retrieve the package that I deposited.


Article

Read the text below.

Amazon has filed a patent for a new package pickup system that takes advantage of buses to make the company’s delivery lockers more accessible.


The e-commerce giant previously introduced delivery lockers to ease picking up of packages. Amazon set up lockers in certain pickup points, and customers can choose the lockers nearest to them. Once their packages are delivered to a pickup point, customers can get their items from the locker anytime they want.


However, one catch with delivery lockers is that some customers may not live near any of Amazon’s pickup points. Because of this, they may find it inconvenient to access these lockers.


To address this problem, the company came up with the idea of using buses. Under this new scheme, customers can get their packages from mobile lockers, which are either inside or attached to a bus. Customers can choose any bus that makes rounds within their area. Then, Amazon will inform customers once their package is loaded on a bus. Customers can then retrieve their packages from the bus lockers using a personalized code given by Amazon.


Aside from sending customers a personalized code, Amazon also mentioned the possibility of using other technology to secure the delivery lockers. Some possible options include fingerprint scanners and facial recognition technology.


The company is also considering adding features that will enable customers to pay for their packages on the spot. These possible features include a credit card reader and a machine that lets the lockers accept cash.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Would you be convinced to try Amazon’s new delivery system? Why or why not?
• If you could change the service to make it more suitable for your country, how would you do it (e.g. use trains instead of buses)?

Discussion B

• Do you trust the security features of delivery services in your country? Why or why not?
• Aside from delivery services, what other types of services do you think should have advanced security features (e.g. online banking)? Discuss.