Courier Network (For real)

[FatherMcGruder]

http://tacocopter.com/

[1714612738]

1714612738

[rjk]

http://tacocopter.com/

So awesome.

[Nefario]

http://tacocopter.com/

So awesome.

Yeah I was reading about this, really cool.

[benjamindees]

Dammit someone already registered pizzacopter.com 

[shakaru]

http://tacocopter.com/

what? are you kidding. I am so going to want to try this if I goto sf.

[stevegee58]

An anonymous network for shipping physical items is theoretically possible, and could be organized like Tor.

1) When you buy something you give the seller an encrypted version of your address that s/he cannot read.
2) The seller ships the package to a reshipper who has the ability to decrypt your address.
3) The reshipper then ships your package through normal channels like UPS.

The main benefit of this system is if the seller is busted for some reason, your name/address are not compromised.

An obvious weakness of this system is if the reshipper is compromised.  A way around this is to have multiple reshippers with layers of encryption and each reshipper peels off only one layer to see which reshipper to send it next (or to you).

You the buyer could even encrypt the entire reshipping route to follow.  The seller would then ship the package to the reshipper you specify when s/he decrypts the address.

The main weakness of this whole deal is the "exit node" i.e. reshippers that can see your real physical address so it can be shipped conventionally to you.

[rjk]

An anonymous network for shipping physical items is theoretically possible, and could be organized like Tor.

1) When you buy something you give the seller an encrypted version of your address that s/he cannot read.
2) The seller ships the package to a reshipper who has the ability to decrypt your address.
3) The reshipper then ships your package through normal channels like UPS.

The main benefit of this system is if the seller is busted for some reason, your name/address are not compromised.

An obvious weakness of this system is if the reshipper is compromised.  A way around this is to have multiple reshippers with layers of encryption and each reshipper peels off only one layer to see which reshipper to send it next (or to you).

You the buyer could even encrypt the entire reshipping route to follow.  The seller would then ship the package to the reshipper you specify when s/he decrypts the address.

The main weakness of this whole deal is the "exit node" i.e. reshippers that can see your real physical address so it can be shipped conventionally to you.

Interesting concept. In theory, the "exit node" could simply be a drop location, although this could still be subject to surveillance.

[jago25_98]

http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SKPM_enAR434AR442&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=carrier+pigeon+drug+mule

"carrier pigeon drug mule" google search request

[Nefario]

http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SKPM_enAR434AR442&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=carrier+pigeon+drug+mule

"carrier pigeon drug mule" google search request

That is actually quite brilliant.

[benjamindees]

What about floating container with an anchor? The seller would leave it somewhere in the ocean and then give its coordinates to a buyer.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/four-tons-marijuana-found-floating-off-southern-california-170826556.html

Every great idea is destined to be copied, and implemented poorly.

[malevolent]

What about floating container with an anchor? The seller would leave it somewhere in the ocean and then give its coordinates to a buyer.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/four-tons-marijuana-found-floating-off-southern-california-170826556.html

Every great idea is destined to be copied, and implemented poorly.

You don't anchor at the ocean you have to keep moving. Only cases are sea anchors used during storms or you could anchor for a while if the water was very shallow and calm but someone would still have to be put on watch.

[benjamindees]

Dammit someone already registered pizzacopter.com 

http://www.reddit.com/r/Automate/comments/1fo44j/dominos_tests_pizza_drone/

[benjamindees]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/15/drone-book-delivery-service-students

[dddbtc]

A small autonomous robot capable of carrying a useful package (say ~1kg) and having sufficient sensors and machine vision capabilities to guide itself from point A to point B and avoid obstacles, vandals, unforeseen occurrences (bird hitting it or a kid running in front of it), and ward off the occasional angry house pet...

This is going to cost a LOT.

Since they have a limited lifetime and require fuel and maintenance would the total costs ultimately be cheaper than a minimum wage dude with a truck?

If this existed, drugs would be trafficked like this all over the place