QikPod, a startup which aims to set up a network of fully automated self serve lockers in residential buildings, offices, cafes and kirana stores for delivery of goods ordered from e-commerce companies, has raised a little over $9 million (Rs 60 crore) from Foxconn, Accel Partners, Flipkart and Delivery, reports ET. The Bangalore based company will use the funds to build its automated lockers, for hiring and technology. Launched by Ravi Gururaj this year, QikPod is building an internet of things (IoT) logistics platform which aims at improving efficiency, convenience and security of last mile delivery operations. QikPod will also come into play while returning ecommerce orders. It will combine the IoT lockers (provided by Foxconn) with a logistics system on the backend, which will handle one third to half of the parcels shipped across India’s metros. It plans to build a parcel locker network of over 50,000 lockers across metro cities in the country. The service is apparently free for consumers and sites which can install and host a locker, and will charge courier companies per use. Gururaj told ET that QikPod will help in reducing carbon emissions through shorter and fewer delivery routes. For example, for Flipkart and Delhivery, QikPod will lessen or avoid the costs of re-delivering a package when its customers are not present at the time of delivery, while for Delhivery, it could push up to 10% of its shipments through the parcel network. The lockers will be have a host of sensors and cameras…
