This self-driving billboard and vending machine is so dystopian

If San Francisco's robot security guards faced backlash for simply standing around, an autonomous tech company's latest self-driving idea doesn't stand a chance.

This week PerceptIn, a Chinese robotics company with Silicon Valley offices, introduced the DragonFly Intelligent Advertising Vehicle, a self-driving vending machine and mobile advertising unit. It's effectively a robotic billboard that takes your money.

A promo video for the device, above, shows the small robot on wheels flagging down a thirsty runner. You can also hail the robot from your phone to buy food or drinks, or other products that companies want to put on wheels.  Read more...