DeliveryPoints: MagicCupboard

Overview

This is the most common type of DeliveryPoint and is designed into new houses built within a localnet area. It can also be retro-fitted to most existing properties though this is obviously more costly to do.

From the inside, it appears to be a built-in kitchen unit, one part of which is a refrigerator/freezer. From the outside, it is a delivery hatch with secure access behind insulated doors.

Unattended Delivery

The exterior hatch opens automatically when an authorised delivery driver approaches it. He removes any boxes that are to be taken away and places boxes containing new deliveries inside the hatch.

The householder can access the contents through the cupboard doors at any time except when the rear hatch is open.

Display/Control Panel

A small LCD touch-panel on one of the doors lets the householder see what is currently in the cupboard and interact with the localnet system. Touching one button may request collection of the waste bin that day. Touching another may show the current location of the delivery van and what, if anything is on it to be delivered to this property.

Refuse

One section of the DeliveryPoint is a pull out drawer in which is a WasteBox - much like the kitchen bin many of us have today. As it is taken away most days (any day you ask it to be) and swapped for a clean one, there is no need to keep lining it with bin-liners.

Recyclables

In the main cupboard,  OmniBoxes arrive most days with the food you need for that evening and the next morning. As these are emptied, you place recyclables (glass, plastic, tins and compostable waste) in them and these are taken away most days as the boxes are swapped for the next day's delivery.

Chilled and Frozen Goods

Most such MagicCupboards will include compartments that can be kept chilled or frozen indefinitely.