Why we’re building Open Locker
Many commercial smart-locker solutions are expensive to buy and come with ongoing software costs. For communities, clubs, educational institutions, or local initiatives that is often unrealistic — especially in the places where such lockers would be most helpful.
Open Locker is designed as an alternative: openly developed, adaptable, and ready to grow from a small pilot.
We started working on the project at a hackathon in 2024, where it received the “Most Mature Prototype” award. With support from Smart City Hameln-Pyrmont, we have continued developing it into a system that can be used in practice.
Our approach
- Open-source code (auditable, extensible, no vendor lock-in)
- Self-hosting possible, but not required
- Focus on good UX, including for less digitally experienced groups
- A modular hardware concept that makes retrofitting easier (instead of buying everything new)
Hosting & project support
If you do not want to operate Open Locker yourself, we plan to offer affordable managed hosting. This reduces your operational workload while helping fund the project’s continued development.