Smart Mailbox Notification and Security System Using NodeMCU ESP8266 and Blynk Application

The rapid growth of e-commerce and parcel delivery services has increased the importance of secure and efficient mailbox systems. Conventional mailboxes do not provide real-time notifications to users when parcels or letters are delivered, leading to inconvenience, delayed collection, and increased risks of theft. This paper presents the design and development of a Smart Mailbox Notification and Security System using NodeMCU ESP8266, Infrared Obstacle Sensors, Blynk Application, and a solenoid locking mechanism. The proposed system can detect the presence of letters or parcels inside the mailbox and sending immediate notifications to the user’s smartphone through the Internet of Things (IoT) platform. In addition, the mailbox includes a remote locking and unlocking feature controlled through the Blynk mobile application, improving security and accessibility. The system integrates hardware and software components to create an automated and user-friendly smart mailbox prototype. Experimental testing demonstrates that the proposed system successfully detects mail delivery, provides instant notifications, and enhances mailbox security with reliable remote access control. The project contributes toward the development of low-cost smart home and IoT-based security systems.

Smart Mailbox, IoT, NodeMCU ESP8266, Blynk Application

1. G. Vardakis, G. Hatzivasilis, E. Koutsaki, and N. Papadakis, “Review of smart-home security using the Internet of Things,” Electronics, vol. 13, no. 16, Art. no. 3343, 2024, doi: 10.3390/electronics13163343. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. T. Magara, H. Zhou, and M. Li, “Internet of Things (IoT) of smart homes: Privacy and security,” Security and Communication Networks, vol. 2024, Art. no. 7716956, 2024, doi: 10.1155/2024/7716956. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. P. Williams, I. Dutta, H. Daoud, and M. Bayoumi, “A survey on security in Internet of Things with a focus on the impact of emerging technologies,” Internet of Things, vol. 19, Art. no. 100564, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.iot.2022.100564. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. B. Yuan, W. Li, D. Liu, J. Liu, and W. Wang, “On the security of smart home systems: A survey,” Journal of Computer Science and Technology, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 338–364, 2023, doi: 10.1007/s11390-023-2488-3. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. I. Cvitić, D. Peraković, M. Periša, and M. Botica, “An overview of smart home IoT trends and related security challenges,” Mobile Networks and Applications, vol. 28, pp. 1333–1345, 2023, doi: 10.1007/s11036-022-02055-w. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. M. A. Khan et al., “Smart Android based home automation system using Internet of Things (IoT),” Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 17, Art. no. 10717, 2022, doi: 10.3390/su141710717. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Z. Sharif, L. T. Jung, M. Ayaz, M. Yahya, and D. Khan, “Smart home automation by Internet-of-Things edge computing platform,” International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, vol. 13, no. 4, 2022, doi: 10.14569/IJACSA.2022.0130455. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. P. Netinant, T. Utsanok, M. Rukhiran, and S. Klongdee, “Development and assessment of Internet of Things-driven smart home security and automation with voice commands,” IoT, vol. 5, no. 1, Art. no. 5, 2024, doi: 10.3390/iot5010005. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. M. A. M. Sidek, N. Samsudin, and M. F. M. Yusof, “Smart mailbox notification system with solar battery charging based on IoT,” Journal of Electrical and Electronic Systems Research, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 89–96, 2024, doi: 10.24191/jeesr.v24i1.014. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. K. Murat, F. Skopik, and M. Wurzenberger, “Security analysis of low-budget IoT smart home devices,” Electronics, vol. 13, no. 12, Art. no. 2371, 2024, doi: 10.3390/electronics13122371. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. O. Alshamsi, A. Alketbi, and A. Alshamsi, “Towards securing smart homes: A systematic literature review,” Information, vol. 15, no. 10, Art. no. 631, 2024, doi: 10.3390/info15100631. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. A. A. Laghari, K. Li, R. A. Laghari, and S. Karim, “Internet of Things applications security trends and solutions,” Discover Internet of Things, vol. 4, Art. no. 24, 2024, doi: 10.1007/s43926-024-00090-5. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. O. Taiwo and A. E. Ezugwu, “Internet of Things-based intelligent smart home control system,” Security and Communication Networks, vol. 2021, Art. no. 9928254, 2021, doi: 10.1155/2021/9928254. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. W. A. Jabbar et al., “Design and fabrication of smart home with Internet of Things enabled automation system,” IEEE Access, vol. 7, pp. 144059–144074, 2019, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2942846. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. A. Al-Fuqaha, M. Guizani, M. Mohammadi, M. Aledhari, and M. Ayyash, “Internet of Things: A survey on enabling technologies, protocols, and applications,” IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 2347–2376, 2015, doi: 10.1109/COMST.2015.2444095. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• The Challenges of Strategic Communications for National Security
• Development of Road Network GIS for Urban Safety and Security in Awka, Anambra State
• Underlying Causes of Political Violence that Affects Tourism Security in Mombasa and Nairobi Counties, Kenya 1992-2024: Exploring Relationships and Consequences.
• Influence of Team Factors on Performance of Women Enterprise Fund Loan Groups in South Imenti Constituency, Kenya
• The Effect of Drug-Related Crime on Community Cohesion in Kibra Sub-County, Nairobi County