Robot-run convenience stores are all over Los Angeles

At the closest opening of Los Angeles’ newest train station, just a few miles from Los Angeles International Airport (Lax), politicians and media members hang on the open air elevated giant methine on a new train platform, escalators, elevators and a glittering piece of art. Downstairs from all the shiny new infrastructure (a fully automatic convenience store) in another component of the station, it uses robots to distribute soda, snacks and debris to customers – causing many OOOOHS and AAAAHS.

The bright blue “smart store” is called Venhub, which runs 24 hours a day without human employees for 24 hours and is accessible only through downloadable apps. After placing an order, the robot will pick up the item with a sucking cup or finger-like grip and store it in the delivery window. The alert on the app lets you know that the purchase is ready and the QR code opens the window.

Venhub CEO Shahan Ohanessian told Mashable that the robot, named Barb and Peter, was designed as co-pilots who helped each other.

“If Peter was uncomfortable due to software issues, he would take a break and the barbs took the tube.”

Water, soda, iced coffee, fries, nuts, fruits and candy are all available on Venhubs, toothpaste, Tylenol, Tampons, Razors, Emergen-C, Emergen-C, and even non-foods like Earpods and phone chargers are available. The lack of manual work in the kiosk seems to translate into a lower cost for customers, for example, Fiji water bottles are sold for $1.39, Starbucks Frappuccino is $1.89, Natural Valley Granola Bars is $4.99, and even USB Cord is $5.99.

Ohanessian acknowledges that his product replaces human work, but also believes it will create new jobs. He said that in addition to the staff managing robots and automation, human workers also need to restock when needed.

“There is a lot of AI and technology behind this store,” Ohanessian said.[The tech will] Tell [company headquarters]“Hey, we need more water or yogurt.”

Venhub’s technology extends to its security protections, which include cameras, sensors and bulletproof glass.

Ohanessian, a former head of Amazon FLP, started developing ideas for Venhub four years ago, saying his kiosks are the future of small shops, not just places that are as busy as big cities, but among attractions lacking retail options.

“There are some locations [being considered] In Texas, it’s a small community, but they just don’t have convenience stores,” Ohanessian said.

Currently, other Venhubs are scattered around Greater Los Angeles, where Venhub is based there, but the company plans to expand for Las Vegas and the East Coast (the company’s website announces that the kiosks are “designed to withstand extreme weather conditions”). Ohanessian also wants to make them ubiquitous in airports across the country and work with Los Angeles transport companies to add more Venhubs to the entire rail system that grows (and mostly without amenities).

“We are witnessing history, and it’s the first airport to see the first unattended smart shop,” said Ohanesian, whose robot stores potato chips and water bottles in the water. “This is the world in the next few years.”