Hoard is a simple system that helps people exchange keys or other small items when it's particularly difficult for two individuals to meet on different schedules. Hoard provides tiny 4" x 3" x 4" lockers for dropping off keys and other small items, at the convenience of both parties.
As of now, there are several "Hoard Spots" where you can try this out in San Francisco and New York. In the United States, the service is free, but it's being tested in Berlin with a charge of 3 Euros per use.
To use, you must sign up with a Hoard account, so that you can be sent a unique passcode, which works like a lock on the secure box. From there, you can drop off a set of keys, send the code to a friend and have them retrieve the keys on their own time.
What's Driving This Trend
- Micro-sized Storage
- Opportunity for the development of secure and convenient storage solutions for small items.
- Peer-to-peer Sharing
- Potential for platforms that facilitate easy exchange and sharing of items between individuals.
- Flexible Access Solutions
- Innovation in access control systems to enable convenient and secure retrieval of items at any time.
Who This Affects Most
- Storage Solutions
- The storage industry can explore the development of micro-sized lockers for secure item storage and exchange.
- Sharing Economy
- Platforms in the sharing economy can leverage the concept of peer-to-peer item sharing for added convenience and flexibility.
- Access Control Systems
- Companies specializing in access control systems can create innovative solutions to enhance the convenience and security of retrieving items from micro-sized lockers.
