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 meant to be an alternative: openly developed, adaptable, and built so you can start small and expand later.
We started working on this project during a hackathon in 2024 and were awarded “most mature prototype”. Since then, with the support of Smart City Hameln, we’ve kept tinkering so that our project can actually be put to use.
Our approach
- Open 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 don’t want to host it yourself, there will be an affordable hosting offer. That reduces operational effort and at the same time helps fund the further development of Open Locker.