Sony wants its electronic products to be readily available to consumers via automated kiosks strategically placed in malls and other such places.

But be sure not to call these vending machines. Gower Smith of Zoom Systems, which is providing the technology for Sony, says that these are robotic stores and not vending machines. These specially-designed kiosks will come in either of two versions, one four feet and the other eight feet wide, both with a touch screen where displayed products' info and specs, as well as trailers and music videos, will be shown. Movie  will also be shown in here.

To purchase a product from the robotic store, the consumer only has to select a product from the screen, swipe his credit card and wait for the robotic arm to deliver the purchased item.

This "experiment" will only be considered a success by Sony if it actually increases sales. The company will be watching the early sales returns of the three robotic stores placed in Santa Rosa, Ca., Atlanta and Boulder, Colorado. Thanks to jpcguy89 for the heads'-up!