French-German start-up Living Packets (Nantes / France; www.livingpackets.com) has launched the second generation of its “speaking” e-commerce packaging. “The Box” is equipped, among other things, with a microphone, various sensors and an integrated camera. “Last year, hundreds of companies looking to work with ‘The Box’ have approached us. They gave us valuable feedback, which we took into consideration in the new generation,” said co-founder and CEO Alexander Cotte.

Living Packets was founded in 2016. The small research team has since grown to nearly 80 employees at locations in Nantes, Paris / France and Berlin / Germany. The company has so far raised around EUR 6.2m through crowdsharing, and serial production is set to start up in the third quarter of 2020. A line for the assembly of the EPP boxes – made of recycled material – and electronic parts is currently being constructed at its R&D centre in Nantes. Living Packets did not name their plastics suppliers.

The Box has an integrated camera and sensors, a 19.8 cm e-ink display made of so-called “Gorilla Glass” and an electromagnetic seal with a TSA interface for US authorities. Various sizes with a volume up to 32 litres are available. Further features include measuring temperature, humidity, pressure, shock, movement and weight inside the box, and the camera makes it possible to look at deliveries on the inside. According to Living Packets, the display is compatible with all shipping labels worldwide and is legible by both humans and machines.

The second generation of The Box also has a microphone and speaker, which means audible messages can be sent to the receiver – online retailers can, for example, send congratulations on their customers’ birthdays along with the package.