Biometric vending machines come to the U.S.

Published 17 August 2010

Trials are underway for next generation vending machines; users would be able to link their thumbprint to a credit card, so all they would have to do to buy a bag of chips would be their thumbprint on the reader, then off they go

You go to Japan and you are struck by the futuristic vending machines at street corners, malls, and other public places. In comparison, the vending machines you find at, say, Wal-Mart appear as if they are powered by steam.

This may be changing, though. Myfoxny.com has a fun story about Next Generation Vending and Food Service, a Massachusetts-based company that specializes in, well, next generation vending machines employing biometrics, credit cards, touchscreens, and more.

 

CrunchGear reports that trials of the new vending machines are going on right now throughout the northeast of the United States, and will continue throughout the rest of the year. If successful — and they seem to be, with company president John S. Ioannou calling the feedback “great” — they could expand into other states.

Users would be able to link their thumbprint to a credit card, so all they would have to do to buy a bag of chips would be their thumbprint on the reader, then off they go.