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Vending Machines Go Futuristic

  • Yasmin Coles
  • January 30, 2011

Is the paperless future heading towards a cashless, “smart” one?

At the moment, smartphones have the capability to scan barcodes and send item information in seconds.  Everything is digital and mobile these days — cash credits on cellphones and applications that allow instant transactions.  The vending machine, which at some point was a revolutionary tool in food purchasing, is now taking things to the next level.  This lowly consumer of coins and bills is turning into a tool that can revolutionize food purchasing and consumption.  As far as these changes go, out with the change, and in with different body parts.

A very interesting design is an invention by Kraft.  Kraft has developed a vending machine that can read the customer’s face, analyze the facial features, and then recommend what kind of food the customer should eat from the machine.  It also has a feature that will email a recommended recipe and shopping solutions.  Called the “Meal Planning Solution”, this machine also has the cool, touchscreen interface you can scroll through, well designed and informative meal options, and of course, a camera that scans and predicts what you want to eat.

Vending Machines Go FuturisticThe future of vending machines is treading the benefits of biometrics. Transactions can now be activated through biometric scans such as thumbprints or retinas.   For instance, a Massachusetts-based vending machine company is developing and testing machines that allow thumbprints to pay for purchases through stored credit or debit card information.

In addition to cashless transactions, these machines are also improving in terms of interface.  Instead of merely peeking through the window to have a good look at the food selection, these machines are also being developed to feature an interactive touch screen similar to the iPhone.  A customer can therefore simply go through the current vending machine menu, select an item, and spin the item to look at the product’s nutrition level.

Vending machines are evidently joining the “smart”bandwagon.  The definition of “smart”, in this case, steps beyond the convenience of cashless shopping and the advantages of biometrics.  In the very near future, these machines will not just dispense food, they will be also integral in the smart decisions consumers  make when making their instant purchases.

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