New vending machine company Bodega thinks its machines will wipe out ‘centralised shopping locations’ such as convenience stores.

The US start-up Bodega – named after a type of independent convenience shop found in the US – was founded by two former Google employees. Their Bodega machine is a five-foot wide multi-shelved unit that can be unlocked using a smartphone. Whatever products are removed are automatically debited to the customer’s account.

Co-founder Paul Mcdonald told a reporter from Fast Company: “Eventually, centralised shopping locations won’t be necessary, because there will be 100,000 Bodegas spread out, with one always 100ft away from you.”

Following outrage from American convenience store owners, McDonald backtracked in a blogpost. He said: “Rather than disrespect to traditional corner stores – or worse yet, a threat – we intended only admiration.”

The company aims to have 1,000 retail units in place by the end of 2018.