Network operators mobilize robot armies to line up to buy iPhone 7

Eager to be one of the first to buy an iPhone 7, but don’t have the time or patience to wait in line at an Apple authorized store? Don’t worry, you can use a robot to wait your turn to receive the device.

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That's the solution that New Zealand carrier Spark has applied when the iPhone 7 was officially released in the country today (September 16).

Thanks to its proximity to the International Date Line, the iPhone 7 officially launched in New Zealand a few hours earlier than in Australia. The carrier Spark didn't miss the opportunity, sending a legion of mini robots to join the queue to get their hands on the new Apple smartphones.

This isn’t the first time a robot has replaced people waiting to buy an iPhone on launch day. Last year, an Australian woman used a “teleportation robot” (actually an iPad on wheels) to save her place in the long line for the iPhone 6S.

Each robot is controlled by a phone app and programmed to dance and move rhythmically. They are also set to broadcast live footage of people queuing for the iPhone 7.

Illustration photo

The robots give people the thrill of queuing in a digital form, says Clive Ormerod, Spark's director of marketing and customer service.

“Queuing is such an iconic part of the culture of new gadget fandom. We wanted to give our customers the experience of the atmosphere and excitement of the crowds, without actually having to queue and wait their turn on launch day,” Mr Ormerod stressed.

According to Vietnamnet