Review of an old post from @m0wer here on SN about a decentralized delivery protocol. The comments on that post interested me, just as the idea itself interests me, something that seems to be the desire of many here.

Looking at some comments on that initial post, it's clear that everyone has a good idea of how this could work.
Some caught my attention:

• Use of secure lockers to store products with QR code release;
• Delivery of packages as data packets on alternative networks;
• Use of drones;
• Locking bitcoins in a service contract;
• A way to record successful deliveries by creating a WOT for the delivery drivers;

In alternative networks, nodes don't know the sender or recipient of the data packets, they only know which node to forward the packet to. The protocol establishes the best route while partially maintaining the anonymity of the sender and recipient.

The nodes here would be the lockers or individuals willing to store the packages (I still prefer the lockers). The packages would have an identifier with their route already established between nodes and would move via couriers interested in the movement fee. For security, this courier would need to lock some sats in a contract (an on-chain transaction, for example). The identification would tell them which the next node is, and upon delivery there, their sats would be released along with their fee. With a successful delivery, this courier would gain more trust in the WoT, being prioritized for notifications of new shipments. The package identification would now show the next courier the next node, and so on until it reaches the recipient. The recipient would be the only one who could open a locker without locking sats in a contract, as the holder of the keys to that package.

Regarding drones, they are perfect for transporting small volumes on short routes like imaginary borders without roads. This would be up to the courier who accepted the shipment or a node with operations on both sides of this border could handle this logistics by receiving the appropriate fee for it.

The contract with the "network" reserving some satoshis would serve to mitigate risks. The value would be set by those who created the shipment, and the "network" fee would also be based on this criterion, in addition to the dimensions and weight of the package.

The main problem here is lockers full of products with no protection from any kind of thief, so it would be good to use part of existing storage systems or some trusted individuals willing to maintain and store these lockers. Such "decentralized" systems occur with logistics companies that use services from small businesses in other sectors to handle packages for major retailers like Shopee and Mercado Livre, in exchange for a small fee per package handled. These small businesses function as mini distribution centers, saving costs and expanding the logistics network's coverage area.

This post is a provocation about a previous provocation; such a protocol seems viable and functional to me, and what's missing are ideas that illuminate those willing to make it work in exchange for adequate payment. An unexplored market for a real problem. The solution will happen when they create this protocol and the first delivery is successfully completed.