I thought I had heard it all until I caught wind of this little news bit. Sony is actually experimenting with special vending machines, which they are calling “robotic stores,” for completing customer transactions.
Just as with standard vending machines, these kiosks will have a clear front through which customers can view products they might like to purchase. After swiping a credit card, a robotic arm will grab the product, scan it to make sure it is the product the customer requested, and hand it to the customer. Customers can even use a touch screen to view music videos and movie trailers.
The thought process behind this marketing ploy revolves around our ever-increasing dependency on credit cards. In addition, more and more consumers are making their purchases online or at automatic check-outs. So, in reality, these vending machines almost seem like the logical next step.
These robotic stores will be first piloted in Atlanta, Georgia; Santa Rosa, California; and Boulder Colorado. From these remote locations, the kiosks are capable of sending information back to a central location. In this way, Sony understands what products are selling the most successfully in the kiosk system and they can determine what products need to be replenished.
Sony’s plan is to have these automated stores in airports, malls, and grocery stores throughout the United States by the end of 2006. Products that are expected to be available in these kiosks include batteries, cameras, MP3 players, Memory Stock flash memory, DVDs, and CDs. The prices for these products are supposed to be in line with the same price a customer would expect to pay at a traditional store. Of course, you will need to own a major credit card in order to take advantage of the convenience these machines offer.
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