Kiosk for storing and distributing baked product and associated systems and methods

A kiosk for storing, displaying, and distributing a plurality of baked units, the kiosk comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber therein;
• a receiving element positioned within the chamber and configured to receive and support one or more of the baked units;
• a carrier configured to move horizontally and vertically within the chamber, the carrier being configured to receive and carry one or more of the baked units;
• one or more sensors configured to analyze the individual baked units to determine one or more baked unit parameters, the baked unit parameters including one or more of a height, a color, a surface topography, a temperature, a volume, and/or a shape of the individual baked units;
• a plurality of receptacles disposed within the chamber and individually configured to support one or more of the baked units;
• and
• a controller coupled to the carrier and the sensors, the controller having memory and processing circuitry and configured to:
• in response to detecting the presence of a baked unit at the receiving element, (a) move the carrier proximate the receiving element and procure the baked unit from the receiving element, and (b) deliver the baked unit to one of the plurality of receptacles;
• and
• move the carrier to retrieve a particular baked unit from its receptacle and deliver the particular baked unit to an opening in the housing through which a customer may retrieve the particular baked unit.