Robotic Grocery Store Hits University in Ohio

Imagine a grocery store without checkout lanes, cashiers, or shopping carts. Grocer Kroger already has.

Last month, they opened a robotic grocery kiosk in Ada, Ohio.

There are a few others set up on college campuses around the country.  The idea comes from Shop24, and may be coming to a vacant space near you!  According to the Facebook page for Shop24, the machine will accept cash, credit, debit, and even supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) cards as well as many student meal cards.

The kiosk is about the size of an enclosed bus stop. It's a self-contained, refrigerated vending machine that can carry up to 200 items. It is restocked daily with stuff like toiletries, cleaning supplies, milk, bread, fruit, and ground beef.

There is a kiosk near the campus of Ohio Northern University that has been a hit with students. It probably won't stop there, since Kroger launched the robot shop officials from five other universities have come to check it out.