We often hear about the incredible variety of vending machines in japan that dispense everything from hot meals and new phones to clean undies, but this is the first time we’ve read about a giant vending machine specifically designed to replace an entire grocery store.

The village of Clifton, Derbyshire, England lost its local shop 14 years ago, which meant that when residents needed something as simple as a pint of milk, they had to drive over two miles simply to reach the nearest supermarket. Local electrical engineer Peter Fox invented this marvelous machine to replace his village’s long-absent convenient store.

The faux brick exterior and awning give the modern automatic shop a traditional feel. “The machine, which contains chiller compartments, stocks essentials such as bread, milk, eggs, toiletries, pet food – and umbrellas. Residents select their items, pay by cash or credit card and take the goods from the dispenser.”

Mr Fox thoughtfully designed the machine so that it can dispense a wide variety of products regardless of their respective weight or delicacy.

"It works by lifting a small basket up to each shelf before a mechanism pushes out the desired product.That way it only has a small distance to travel, preventing milk bottles from bursting or eggs from smashing."

The machine is also linked to a website which allows villagers to check stock availability before they even leave the house. 

Visit Dailymail.co.uk to learn more about this Peter Fox’s awesome automatic shop.

[via Foodbeast and Dailymail.co.uk]