by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Cashless payments have made vending machines easier to use, but that convenience depends on a chain of technology that usually remains invisible until…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
For small vending operators, artificial intelligence's biggest benefit may not come from futuristic machines or complicated predictive models. It can be as…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Vending machines are commonly associated with disposable bottles, wrappers and cups, but the same automated infrastructure could help move consumers away from…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Juan Carlos Corvera, president and founder of Bouncer Digital, discusses how his technology works, regulatory acceptance and why he believes automated age…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Two recent research papers illustrate how kiosks and automated dispensing systems could play broader roles in detecting disease, improving access to medication…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Automated retailer Prepango used its airport network, remote monitoring and regional sales data to put official World Cup products within reach of travelers…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Evolvending has partnered with The Amish Pretzel Co. to offer freshly warmed pretzel products through automated dining kiosks at U.S. airports.
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
New York-based Balanced Vending expanded its operational footprint by acquiring First Choice Vending earlier this year, adding established routes and micro…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Two academic studies examine what it takes to make unattended systems more useful to passengers and more reliable for operators.
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Morrison Healthcare and food robotics company Blendid have deployed a robotic smoothie kiosk at Mayo Clinic's Methodist Campus in Rochester, Minnesota…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
This edition of our academic research roundup looks at two studies exploring how kiosks and vending machines could remove barriers to care in very different…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Ray Friedrich reflects on the lessons learned from introducing some of the industry's earliest self-service technologies, discusses how AI is changing customer…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
The organizers of the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation (ARKI) Show are accepting nominations for the 2026 ARKI Awards, recognizing the companies, products…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Two academic studies suggest the most effective self-service deployments balance automation with accessibility and user-centered design. Although the research…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
For many operators, accepting bills and coins remains a strategic business decision. While cash transactions continue to decline, eliminating them entirely…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Four published academic studies suggest kiosk and vending technologies are becoming more intelligent, more accessible and more responsive to community needs.
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
As vending machines, micro markets, smart coolers and unattended retail systems become increasingly sophisticated, operators need workers who can do far more…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Three recent studies examine topics ranging from customer acceptance of self-service kiosks to AI-powered healthcare kiosks and the growing role of vending…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Tord Olav Dønnum discusses how robotics, automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping foodservice operations and how autonomous kitchens can help…
read nowby Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
While the vending industry has embraced technology for decades through cashless payments, telemetry and remote machine monitoring, AI is opening the door to a…
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