A tech startup called Bodega that hopes to replace mom-and-pop shops with unmanned boxes that rely on an app and artificial intelligence is facing a massive backlash from immigrant business owners and skeptics across Silicon Valley. Although the boxes appear to be little more than glorified vending machines, the company’s executives have been widely mocked, and criticized for explicitly stating that their mission is to displace neighborhood corner stores and put family-owned shops out of business. A startup wants to replace corner stores. Read more“Rather than disrespect to traditional corner stores – or worse yet, a threat – we intended only admiration.”He did not respond to a question about whether he was reconsidering the name. “That kind of personalization of service, you will never be able to find with an automated service.”Bodega is launching at a time when local bodegas are barely scraping by, said Chakrabarti.

Source: The Guardian September 13, 2017 19:25 UTC