PACIFIC, MO – Fox2now in St. Louis reported on a futuristic fueling device that may not be too far away.

Developed by Husky Corporation and Fuelmatics Systems, the robotic gas pump uses infrared lights and cameras locate the fuel door.  An arm with a suction cup opens the fuel door, and then the nozzle extends into the fuel tank and begins filling up the gas tank. Once the tank is full, he nozzle returns to the pump.

“We already have drive-thru McDonalds, drive-thru banks and drive-thru car washes,” Husky executive Brad Baker told the news source, noting that he believes consumers will be eager to use drive-thru gas pumps and that the product will be ready for regulatory testing in later this year.

Baker told the news source that consumers would pay and make fuel choice selections on a drive-up screen, similar to an automated car wash. He also predicts consumers will be able to use an app to pay for their fueling purchase and that it will become a popular option because it’s faster than manually pumping gas. And, consumers don’t have to get out of their car.

“I think it`s going to have an appeal in Northern regions, especially where weather is really bad,” said Baker.

The robotic pump runs about $50,000 per unit and was on display at the 2013 NACS Show in Atlanta.