Kinki University Educational Corporation

University's first! Beyond the realm of conventional temporary luggage storage lockers
What are the benefits of introducing "Next Generation Smart Lockers"?

type	Number of doors	external dimensions Size (mm)
Standard specification locker	6 doors	Width 500 x Depth 600 x Height 1800

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What is the background of your decision to introduce lockers?

For some time, several requests for lockers have been raised through student surveys.
However, there were no lockers, paid or free, available for students to leave their belongings during breaks or between classes, so we began to consider introducing them.

We would like to ask if there were any deciding factors that led you to install SPACER lockers among the many lockers available.

The deciding factors were the ability to complete everything from loading and unloading to payment with a single smartphone, and the ability to not only store luggage, but also to deliver items by sharing keys via a URL.

At the time, there was a current trend toward the adoption of cashless payment systems, and Kinki University was also actively trying to introduce cashless payment systems.
Specifically, credit card functions were installed on student ID cards, the cafeteria and stores on campus also supported cashless payment, and QR code payment was introduced at all food stalls at the school festival.

When we considered introducing lockers, we were attracted by the fact that they not only support cashless payment, but also do not require a physical key, and can even be used to receive and deliver items by sharing a key via a URL.

In addition to expanding student services, the project was expected to provide opportunities for students to experience cutting-edge technology and to generate ideas for the multiple uses of next-generation lockers from the students who use them.

Use the SPACER app to open/close lockers and share keysThe following is a list of the most common problems with theClick here to learn how to use the SPACER application.and others

I saw a past article about an event that was held with the goal of generating ideas on how to use the next generation of lockers. What ideas were generated at this event?Click here for the article (external site)

Since the students were doing this on their own, I don't have all the details or what kind of feedback they received...

The event included a riddle-solving escape game, in which participants unlocked lockers with URLs they received for correct answers and received presents, and Christmas presents were exchanged at random using lockers.

What feedback have you received from students who use the lockers since they were introduced?

The University's decision to set up up to two hours of free use was adapted by students, who often appreciated the ability to drop off large items of luggage and then return to retrieve them within the free use time, even after having lunch in a crowded cafeteria or attending a 90-minute class.

We would like to ask if there were any deciding factors in choosing the location of the lockers on campus.

The Academic Theater (library and social space) currently in place is a symbolic building of Kinki University, created in 2017.
The decision was made to place a state-of-the-art product in such a location and one that is visible from the main street that is frequented by students.

I have 7 lockers in one location,
Was there ever a plan to install them discretely on campus?

The Higashi Osaka campus is the only one of the multiple campuses owned by the university to have a mix of faculties.
Basically, students complete their work in their own department building and then use the cafeteria and library, so it would be preferable to install under each department building, but we thought we would start with a small installation on a trial basis, and if we could see enough use to fill all the doors, we would be able to convince them to spend the money to promote the program. We thought it would be a good way to convince people to spend money to spread the use of the system.

Unfortunately, however, it was not used enough to fill all the doors, as the new coronavirus caused a switch to online classes in 2020 and fewer students visited the campus.
Since we are now back to face-to-face classes with the exception of some lectures, we will continue to consider expansion and new ways to utilize the system, depending on how it is used in the future.

Corporate Information
school's name	Kinki University Educational Corporation
establishment	1925 (Taisho 14)
uniform resouce locator	https://www.kindai.ac.jp/

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