Startup Ideas

March 7, 2022

How to Supercharge Last-Mile Deliveries With Mileberry

Many businesses welcomed 2022 with renewed optimism—ready to leave the challenges of 2021 behind.

Unfortunately, the logistics industry is still reeling in pain.

The demand for both online shopping and rapid, transparent deliveries is on the rise. Despite this, businesses still struggle with the global supply chain challenges, from driver shortage to high freight rates.

To top it all off, companies lose billions of dollars from lost and stolen packages each year.

It would take an entire nation to decongest ports, solve the driver shortage crisis, and reverse the effects of COVID-19. What businesses can control, however, is the efficiency of last-mile deliveries.

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Enter Mileberry

Mileberry is a startup in San Francisco that’s making a push for the widespread adoption of self-service, last-mile deliveries.

Their solution? A network of IoT, click & collect parcel locker smart machines—and a mobile app to control them.

Here’s a deeper look at these two components:

What are Mileberry Hubs?

Image source: Mileberry.com

The centerpiece of Mileberry’s self-service delivery system is the Mileberry Hub.

These smart machines will be distributed in key locations across the United States. You will find them in malls, coffee shops, parking lots, gas stations, and residential complexes where accessibility is a non-issue.

Mileberry Hubs consist of multiple compartments with features for specific types of parcels. There will be modules for postal service partners, laundry, groceries, food, and fresh goods.

Thanks to the modular design, Mileberry Hubs can be easily constructed and stationed. It also makes it possible to introduce new modules with advanced storage features.

How Mileberry Deliveries Work

Great — you now know the two essential pieces of Mileberry’s last-mile delivery system.

With that out of the way, let’s take a quick look at the Mileberry self-service delivery process:

1. Scheduling a Parcel Delivery

First, the sender needs to use the Mileberry app or website to create a shipment.

All they have to do is enter the recipient’s details and use the built-in map to find the nearest Mileberry Hub. From there, they will be assigned a cell upon confirmation of their shipment.

2. Loading the Parcel

Using the mobile app, the sender can open their designated cell. This can be done using the collection code or by scanning the QR code on the Mileberry Hub.

When done, they can simply close the cell and leave.

In the meantime, the sender can track the status of their parcel through the mobile app.

3. Receiving the Delivery

Recipients can also use the mobile app to find the right Mileberry Hub where their parcel waits for collection. Similar to the loading process, they simply need to use the text or QR code to open the right cell.

After collecting their parcel, they only need to carefully close the cell, and they’re done.

That’s it — a quick and easy last-mile delivery done through Mileberry.

What Are the Benefits of Mileberry?

There are several benefits of using Mileberry for last-mile deliveries:

Carrier Agnostic Network

The Mileberry last-mile delivery system is open to all carriers, like Amazon and USPS. It can be used for online purchases, restaurant orders, mail, personal packages, and more.

Affordable C2C Deliveries

For customers, Mileberry will not only streamline the entire last-mile delivery process. It’s also cheaper than other home delivery services by design.

Contactless Self-Service Experience

With Mileberry, there’s no need to sign forms or interact with delivery personnel. Senders and recipients can do everything by themselves using the Mileberry app.

Parcel Security

Mileberry makes sure your parcel remains untouched and inaccessible to anyone without the necessary access code. This, of course, is much more secure than having a courier leave your package at your doorstep.

Easy to Use

Mileberry parcels can be received and sent with just a few taps on the mobile app. That’s as easy as last-mile deliveries can get.

Make Returns Hassle-Free

Mileberry Hubs can serve as accessible contact points between merchants and customers. If customers aren’t satisfied with their purchase, they can return it with the same machine that was used for delivery.

Runs 24/7

Mileberry Hubs are built to be operational round the clock. As such, there’s no need to wait for the next working day to send or receive your parcel.

Solar-Powered Modules

The Mileberry Hub design was conceived with eco-friendliness in mind. It will use solar energy, which leads to a reduced carbon footprint and lower power consumption.

Advanced Modules

Mileberry plans to launch heated and refrigerated compartments to keep perishable products in suitable conditions. These new developments will make the technology more attractive for restaurants and food retailers.

Who is Mileberry for?

Mileberry aims to revolutionize last-mile deliveries not just for logistics companies, but down to a consumer level as well. This is thanks to the versatility, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness of the system

Here is a list of Mileberry’s intended users:

eCommerce brands
Logistics companies
Retailers
Restaurants
Laundry services
Individual sellers
Personal users (C2C)

When Will We See Mileberry?

Mileberry’s last-mile delivery technology will take the click & collect model to a whole new level.

Apart from being available in more locations, the modular, technologically-advanced Mileberry Hub will also bring unique features to the table. Packages will be more secure, effortlessly tracked using the mobile app, and kept in ideal conditions to preserve quality.

They’re also full steam ahead in their plans for launch this year.

In the spring of 2022, Mileberry will run pilot projects across Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. This should help the company raise awareness, expand its partnerships, and turn the heads of potential investors.

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