According to USA Today, a robotic arm inside a glorified vending machine will gently “hand” consumers high end communications devices at ariports and Macy’s stores.
The vending machine-like stores unveiled Wednesday will carry about 30 products, initially including 12 phones and 18 accessories, said Bob Many, Motorola’s director of automated retailing.
Phone customers will be able to purchase mid- to high-end models, including the Razr and the Q, and can buy with or without a service plan.
Motorola says it is the first retailer to sell electronic gadgets this way. The robo-stores are operated by San Francisco-based Zoom Systems.