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UCSD Biometric Vending Machine

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the tracking-your-soda-habits dept.

dice writes to tell us that grad students at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) are creating the first biometric vending machine. The current machine comes equipped with a barcode scanner, a fingerprint reader, and a web cam for facial recognition. One student dubbed it the "most over-designed soda machine in the world." The project, code-named "SodaVision," is the brainchild of associate professor Stefan Savage, but it was the students who really made it come to life. And yes, it runs Linux.

23 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. So, does this mean... by fragmentate · · Score: 3, Funny
    ...I won't get my $.50 back now when I flip off the soda machine every time it chomps my coins? Or, is the snack machine going to recognize my frustration, and shake the stuck bag of Cheetos loose for me?

    People sure have a lot of time on their hands!

    --
    My ZooLoo
    1. Re:So, does this mean... by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 2, Funny

      More than likely, it will recognise you and put the can of soda through a tortuous journey through the shakers and bangers to make sure you have a nice drink of soda delivered right up your nose when you open it.

      --
      liqbase :: faster than paper
  2. afraid to vote.. by qewl · · Score: 4, Funny

    Let me be the first to say, I'd be afraid to vote on that thing. Especially libertarian..

    --

    (\_/)
    (O.o) This is Bunny. (> <)
  3. *sighs* by Whiney+Mac+Fanboy · · Score: 4, Funny
    from tfa:

    Stick your thumb on the reader so the machine recognizes you as having an account, take out the drink, scan it with the barcode reader, then walk way


    Lucky students are notoriously honest.
    --
    There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
  4. Many Mountain Dews... by demonbug · · Score: 4, Funny

    were killed to bring us this device.

    Seems really pointless when you think of vending machines that sell soft drinks and snacks, but I guess there could be a use for more-secure vending machines for higher-dollar items (like the one selling iPods I saw a month or two back).

    1. Re:Many Mountain Dews... by geekoid · · Score: 2, Funny

      reducing the cost of the iPod to 1 brick.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  5. Hmm.. by yourOneManArmy · · Score: 5, Funny

    When I read the summary I thought, "Hey this sounds pretty useless, but maybe I just missed something." Then I read the article, and I'm still thinking, "Hey this sounds pretty useless."

    1. Re:Hmm.. by heinousjay · · Score: 5, Funny

      There is absolutely nothing wrong with science for science's sake. This, however, was engineering for engineering's sake, which is one of the most evil forces in the universe.

      --
      Slashdot - where whining about luck is the new way to make the world you want.
  6. DEW 9000 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Open the pop bay door now...

    1. Re:DEW 9000 by Couch+Commander · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm sorry Dave, I can't do that.

  7. Well my toaster runs NetBSD! by saterdaies · · Score: 4, Funny

    This project is nothing! Linux on a soda machine? I've had NetBSD running on my toaster for years ;)

    1. Re:Well my toaster runs NetBSD! by geekoid · · Score: 3, Funny

      You got your toaster to dispense soda? sweet!

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    2. Re:Well my toaster runs NetBSD! by indifferent+children · · Score: 2, Funny
      You got your toaster to dispense soda? sweet!

      No, but one of our goals for version 3.0.2 is that it will dispense toast.

      --
      Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it. --Mark Twain
  8. The most overhacked vending machine... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now the black and white hats in the computer science department will now have a new toy to fight over. Whoever gets the most freebies wins!

  9. Only the Good. by Tackhead · · Score: 2, Funny
    > ...I won't get my $.50 back now when I flip off the soda machine every time it chomps my coins? Or, is the snack machine going to recognize my frustration, and shake the stuck bag of Cheetos loose for me?

    Never flip off a vending machine. They carry one hell of a grudge.

    DISPENSER: You are my nemesis... one day, our paths will cross again, and I - I will destroy you...

    RIMMER: And on that day, I will be the Captain of this ship.

    (A whole lot of plot spoilers happen)

    DISPENSER: Every dog has its day, and today's the day... [ ejects can and knocks Rimmer unconsciousness amidst the flaming corridors of the doomed ship ] ...that I'm the dog.

    - Red Dwarf, Only the Good

    1. Re:Only the Good. by ImTheDarkcyde · · Score: 2, Funny

      did someone say BeBop cola?

  10. Yes, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    ..but what distro ?!!?!!!

  11. A better feature for this device by Durrok · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hello! Thank you for using soda vision! You have ingested: 250 grams of sugar today, 1,800 grams of sugar this week, and 7,212 grams this month for a grand total of 15.9 lbs! Congratulations, you are a candidate for TYPE A Diabetes!

    --
    I keep telling myself I'm not the desperate type.
  12. Re:... SCARY ... by EllF · · Score: 2, Funny

    Big Brother knows if you prefer Pepsi or Coke, and he uses it to rape babies.

    --
    We who were living are now dying
    With a little patience
  13. Fortunately... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 3, Funny

    > And yes, it runs Linux.

    Fortunately they haven't been able to find a driver for the anal probe.

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  14. Re:Vista Machine by brjndr · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yeah, here's the linux machine

    Bob: I want a soda
    Machine: ....
    Bob: Hello?!? I want a soda!
    Machine: ....
    Passerby: Dude, there's no decent voice recognition software for this machine yet.
    Bob: Fine, I'll just put in money.

    *Bob puts in dollar*

    Bob: WTF?! It took my dollar, why doesn't it show my credit?
    Passerby: There are no drivers for the bill counter yet. Oh, and don't bother with coins either. They haven't released those drivers either.
    Bob: Well how the fuck am I supposed to get my soda?
    Passerby: Well, write some drivers. Everyone should just write their own. What are you, lazy?

  15. Re:Why didn't they try areola recognition? by pintpusher · · Score: 3, Funny

    umm... the CS dept created it. no test subjects.

    --
    man, I feel like mold.
  16. Beer dispensor by texaport · · Score: 2, Funny
    No more fake IDs. In Loco Parentis without people. Knows to not dispense on Sundays until the churches have closed.

    Talks to Diebold machines on voting days to comply with State laws. Switches you to light beer after the first six.

    Cuts you off after a few too many, to keep underage students from cutting off older, sleeping roommates' fingers.