This robotic vending machine thief is perfect for those times when you're a nickel short for that tantalizing can of pop.
Created by French inventor and YouTube user Ioduremetallique, this clever (and only somewhat illegal) device gets put into the bottom of the vending machine behind the closed flap. From there, the robotic vending machine thief can be controlled with a re-purposed video game controller to reach up into the machine and take the item of your choice. Well, maybe not your choice, because you're a law-abiding citizen who would never steal from a hapless vending machine, no matter how tempting that can of Coke Zero may be.
The video is pretty interesting to see how Ioduremetallique created the machine, but be forewarned, the narration is in French.
Robotic Vending Machine Thieves
This Robotic Device is Designed to Steal from Vending Machines
Trend Themes
1. Robotic Theft - The use and development of theft-related robotic technology
2. Illicit Vending - Vending machines being used for unauthorized and/or illegal purposes
3. Consumer Robotics - Use of robotic technology for personal and/or consumer purposes
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Innovating on how to secure vending machines and decrease theft incidents
2. Law Enforcement - Developing preemptive measures to mitigate the use of robotic technology for illicit activity
3. Consumer Electronics - Creating products that are similar to robotic vending machine thieves for legal and practical applications (such as reaching items in high places).