For example, in the yard of our apartment we have storage cabinets with password locks. The deliver guys won't deliver each package to your door, as it is inefficient, especially because apartment buildings are tall in China, you have to take elevator. Instead, they put packages into one of the cabinet doors. And you will receive a password on your phone. Put the code in, the cabinet door will open. you can then get the package.
But China invented the fruit lockers: you want fresh fruit, it gets delivered to a locker in your apartment everyday. I haven't tried it, but was a bit floored when I saw one.
We personally just have them leave packages at the wuye (apartment management), any high end apartment just has a counter that will keep your package for you, no need for a locker solution.
Whether that's advantage China or advantage US depends on your perspective.
I heard that railway systems in most countries are not profitable, they have to be funded by the government.
But the Chinese railway system is so advanced and profitable, due to cost-of-labor and population density. Even high speed railway wasn't a Chinese invention. As a comparison, the U.S. railway is so old and kinda desolate.
Most ideas are not originated from China, but they grow better in China.
Because of the population density, the network effect is stronger in China.
That's only true of passenger rail though--freight rail in the US works really well.
For example, consider high speed rail in California. Due to the existing rail system, the marginal increase in economic benefit gained by building a new high speed system is fairly small.
Compare this situation to high speed rail in China. Without the existence of a fairly efficient existing system, the economic benefit to building the high speed lines was massive.
This historical pattern is somewhat common.
Rising societies have all of the latest advances gained by building previous systems, and none of the existing societies' technical debt.
They get the newest and shiniest technological base, simply because they're building it now.
Best thing ever.
Strange to hear no one uses them.
Granted, post offices are beginning to hold less and less now, cutting costs I guess, which may be increasing the usage.
But in the U.S., it may be a good idea to locate the lockers in grocery stores. Picking packages while doing groceries is also convenient.