Self-service technology is bringing us full-circle — the automat seems to be making a comeback around the world. The automat, which readers may know only from its appearance in mid-century period series such as “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Mad Men,” offered a speedy, convenient restaurant...
Throughout 2023, the automation of food preparation, production and service has been increasingly enabling the creation of more kinds of vending machine experiences, with pies being the latest food to get the robotic treatment. In New Zealand, WM Robotics’ PieBot vending machine is serving hot...
As automation is increasingly taking over quick-service restaurant (QSR) occasions, it is not only restaurants looking to capitalize on the shift — Nestle’s frozen pizza brand DiGiorno is looking to get in on the action. The food giant is testing a pizza-making vending machine, selling...
Water should be free — so why do we pay to drink it? That’s the question that’s being asked by Austin-based startup FreeWater as it pushes to make not only water but other products free across the globe. To generate revenue, FreeWater uses a strategy...
January 31, 2023
Adopting an innovation mindset has been the vending business’ saving grace in tough economic times. In fact, with a global recession and an ongoing war and cost-of-living crisis across Europe, all following a crippling pandemic, innovating has been critical to staying ahead, says Paul Hearne, the U.K. and Ireland managing director at Selecta Group, the […]
March 26, 2020
The automated retail market opened 2020 on pace to easily continue its double-digit growth. The continued adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) is making it...
February 27, 2020
Mind the gap, as the saying goes. In this case, it’s the gap between interest and intent, the chasm that lies between consumer awareness of unattended retail and actually taking the...
January 29, 2020
Self-service retail is, of course, a fancy term that replaces the traditional vending machine moniker (though kiosks and other digital- and mobile-anchored technologies are rapidly entering the mix, offering self-service...
March 07, 2024
As part of a broader push into the Latin American market, Nayax, a global commerce enablement, payments and loyalty platform, announced that it agreed to acquire VMtecnologia. The acquisition heralds an expansion for Nayax, with VMtecnologia being a leading technology provider for Brazil’s automated self-service industry, the companies said in a Thursday (March 6) press release. Nayax’s move […]
July 13, 2020
Contactless payments have been available since the mid-1990s, but the coronavirus has put the technology in the forefront. Now, Coca-Cola Co. is debuting a touchless option at its Freestyle, which is...
May 20, 2020
As the world learns to live with pandemic-necessitated safety measures, Las Vegas has introduced a vending machine that dispenses face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE), according to Time...
May 13, 2020
Vending machines that dispense masks may soon be coming to a shopping mall near you. Gaming company Razer said it will roll out the machines in Singapore in time for...
