As contactless shopping grows, Venhub is rolling out its automated Smart Stores in places where convenience is key, such as transit centers, entertainment districts, and underserved neighborhoods.
“People can expect a seamless transaction, interface, and process. Extremely fast, consistently delivered service, secure and safe shopping,” explained Shahan Ohanessian, founder & CEO of Venhub, adding that the units are open 24/7.
How it works
Simply download the app and select which items you want to pick up, from drinks and snacks to over-the-counter essentials.
When approaching the unit, a proximity sensor detects your arrival, typically when you’re about 10 to 20 feet away. That’s when robotic arms are signaled to start preparing the order, so by the time the customer is ready for pickup, “the entire transaction takes less than a minute,” said Ohanessian.
Customers pay digitally on the app and receive a QR code. Scanning the code unlocks a secure window to retrieve the items.
Robotic arms prepare the orders in a Venhub Smart Store.
While the current focus isn’t on hot food, the tech sets the stage for more convenience store–style shopping that happens with no human interaction. No employees are required for any step of the process aside from restocking.
The goal is to offer a better experience than traditional vending machines by providing a wider selection, real-time inventory, and phone-based transactions.
“AI is watching it,” Ohanessian said. The robotic arm confirms the product picked, a ceiling-mounted vision system verifies it’s delivered to the correct window, and a final camera system ensures the right customer receives it.
Fast setup, high demand
The startup cost for a Venhub Smart Store is $250,000. According to the company, over $300 million in pre-orders have already been placed.
Most recently, Venhub launched at the Metro Transit Center at LAX as well as in Glendale, and North Hollywood. Its latest installation in Hollywood is just steps from the iconic Hollywood Bowl.
Multiple new stores are coming to Las Vegas, with fulfillment centers in the Midwest and East Coast. International expansion is also on the horizon.
Ohanessian, a former Amazon logistics executive, said investment in automation aligns with current trends. “What consumers prioritize in any industry is convenience,” he said, noting this accelerated during COVID. “A lot of the technologies, whether it’s Uber, Tesla, or Amazon, have changed consumer habits.”
“There are studies that in the next 10 years, over 80 percent of retail will be unattended retail,” Ohanessian said.
