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2010: A Vending Odyssey – Automated Vending

Some say that new breeds of vending machines are popping up across the globe, championing the advent of new technology, and a new face to vending. While that may be true, vending machines have always been known as technology innovators. We at least know they've come a long way since the vending machines of 1947.

At the core of the vending machine, is its ability to offer convenience to a customer. And many vending machine innovators have laid claim to newer technology that focuses on a more personal experience.

Some of these innovations are highlighted by the introduction of a touch screen LCD. These replace the almost antiquated elements of the older vending machine: the analog style buttons.

Others say that newer touch screen vending machines are flashy, futuristic, and a bit sci-fi. Well, what this speaks to in a larger sense, is the ability of the vending machine to transform and utilize technology to its advantage.

Other advents of vending machine technology include the almost recognizable credit card acceptor. I say almost, because the technology is becoming a fast adaptation to the market. While many consumers are happy with these credit card acceptors, the technology has introduced some frustration in the buying process.

That's where technology has swooped in, once again, to help. Sensors are now being included in the vending machine that ensures a credit card is not charged until the item is released from the machine, clearing up any confusion and frustration of the process. Another sensor device called a vending miser aims to reduce the electricity used by an individual machine by dynamically powering a vending machine, depending on its usage.

Business locations are adapting these newer vending machines into the atmosphere of their stores. Research does point to the fact that consumers are more inept to buying at a location, if it offers some kind of self-service machine, like an automated vending machine. Young shoppers are especially attuned to the idea of self-service machines.

One important idea of vending machines with enhanced technology includes the ability of retail establishments to bridge the gap between brick and mortar stores, and online fronts. They see these newer vending machines as convenient ways to appease customers who may not want the traditional brick and mortar retail experience.

Automated machines offer a kind of efficiency that helps a retail establishment. Many brick and mortar stores depend on their statistics to examine the potential for sales at a certain store. Automated vending machines collect this information automatically and can report on it to a central database.

Automated vending machines have become extensions of technology, and adaptations of innovators who are looking to bridge the gap between the traditional and the future. We will see key technology like touch screen interfaces and automated payment systems improve with maturity, and potentially open up brand new areas of automation never seen before.