Mobile vending machine
Mobile vending machines for storing and dispensing products to consumers at various locations. A mobile vending machine may include a product storage system, a user interface, a powertrain system, and a control unit. A consumer may view a list of products in the mobile vending machine using a mobile device, such as a smart phone. The consumer may summon the mobile vending machine to a location using the mobile device, and the mobile vending machine may automatically complete a transaction with the consumer, where the consumer receives a product from the mobile vending machine. The control unit may enable the mobile vending machine to autonomously travel to the location of the consumer.
1. A method of vending a product from a mobile vending machine, the method comprising:
transmitting to a user mobile device a list of products contained in the mobile vending machine;
receiving from the user mobile device user information including a product selection an identity of the user, and a location, wherein the user is in a different location than the mobile vending machine;
based on the received user information automatically maneuvering the mobile vending machine to the location;
verifying the identity of the user after automatically maneuvering the mobile machine to the location; and
dispensing the product after verifying the identity of the user.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
updating the list of products contained in the mobile vending machine after dispensing the product.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the location received from the user mobile device is the location of the user.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the location received from the user mobile device is a location other than the location of the user.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile vending machine is configured to operate only within a predetermined geographic area.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user mobile device is a smart phone.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user information further comprises payment information.
8. A method of vending a product, the method comprising:
receiving at a user mobile device a list of products contained in a mobile vending machine;
transmitting user information including an identity of the user and a location of the user mobile device to the mobile vending machine, wherein the mobile vending machine is configured to automatically navigate to the location of the user mobile device;
verifying the identity of the user at the location; and
performing a transaction with the user after verifying the identity of the user, wherein the user receives a product from the mobile vending machine.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
based on the transaction performed with the user updating the list of products contained in the mobile vending machine.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the transaction includes an electronic payment.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the user mobile device is a smart phone.
12. An autonomous mobile vending machine, comprising:
a product compartment for storing one or more products;
a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit a list of products in the product compartment to a user mobile device and is further configured to receive a product selection from the user mobile device;
a dispensing opening coupled to the product compartment and accessible by a user to receive a vended product;
a scanner configured to read a code on the user mobile device to verify an identity of the user; and
a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to automatically move the mobile vending machine,
wherein during a vending operation, the mobile vending machine automatically moves to the location of the user.
13. The autonomous mobile vending machine of claim 12 , wherein the autonomous mobile vending machine is configured to operate outdoors.
14. The autonomous mobile vending machine of claim 12 , wherein the autonomous mobile vending machine is configured to operate on multiple floors in a building.
15. A method of vending a product from a mobile vending machine, the method comprising:
transmitting to a user mobile device a list of products contained in a mobile vending machine;
receiving user information including an identity of the user and a location of the user mobile device at the mobile vending machine, wherein the mobile vending machine is configured to automatically navigate to the location of the user mobile device;
verifying the identity of the user at the location; and
performing a transaction with the user after verifying the identity of the user, wherein the user receives a product from the mobile vending machine.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein verifying the identity of the user comprises scanning a code on the user mobile device.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein verifying the identity of the user comprises identifying a biometric characteristic of the user.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein verifying the identity of the user comprises entering an access code on a user interface of the mobile vending machine.
19. The method of claim 15 , wherein receiving user information comprises logging into an application on the user mobile device.
20. The method of claim 15 , wherein performing a transaction with the user comprises receiving payment from the user and dispensing the product.