The Future of Vending Machines looks bright as Intel was showing of their new augmented reality display at Digital Signage World in Sydney last weekend. The impressive vending machines have a large resistive touchscreen , an inbuilt camera and has also the ability to connect to wireless networks over 3G , Wifi or Wimax.
One of the most impressive functions of the vending machine is the large digital display screen which can be used to showcase advertising as the machines camera will recognize when nobody is within a 10 foot radius and will automatically display the advertising screen.The ads will disappear if somebody was to enter 3 foot proximity to the vending machine and it will be replaced by a touchscreen menu to purchase the contents of the machine. The user can scroll through the products using the large digital touchscreen , with vibrant backgrounds changing depending on what product the user has currently highlighted.
The demo machine then used a smart cashcard to make the required payment before the drink was released.
The vending machine is also unique compared to the rest of the market as the wireless connectivity allows the companies the option to be able to monitor the machines , allowing contents to be filled when only they are empty instead of regular basis whether they are empty or not.The camera also uses face detection technology to determine the sex and age of the user, which can be then used to appeal to advertisers.
The vending machines are already available in Japan and have become a huge success and should be arriving in Australia soon.