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The Vending Machines of the Future

JoshuaInNippon writes "Not sure what you're thirsty for? New vending machines in Shinagawa Station in Tokyo will tell you based on your age and gender. The machines, controlled by a centralized server, come equipped with sensors that recognize basic costumer information, and then provide recommendations alongside the list of available drinks. A massive 47-inch touch panel display is used in place of the typical button system, allowing for an automatic digital advertising mode when no people are directly in front of the machine." A Massachusetts-based vending machine company has even come up with a line of biometric snack machines that tie your thumbprint to a credit card.

18 of 216 comments (clear)

  1. Nutrimatic Drinks Dispenser? by Tiersten · · Score: 4, Funny

    It is a trick so they can get rid of their stocks of a drink that is almost, but not quite entirely unlike tea.

    1. Re:Nutrimatic Drinks Dispenser? by Yvan256 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Are you implying those machines have GPP?

    2. Re:Nutrimatic Drinks Dispenser? by jrumney · · Score: 5, Funny

      A bit like the "data plan recommendation" webapp my cell provider has, which asks you a bunch of questions about your usage then recommends their highest price data plan every time.

  2. Re:Martini by spazdor · · Score: 3, Funny

    It sounds like it makes recommendations based on primitive demographic stereotypes. So try walking up to it in a dapper suit and with a sophisticated arch of the eyebrow.

    --
    DRM: Terminator crops for your mind!
  3. Re:Martini by Rob+the+Bold · · Score: 4, Funny

    I should add, upon viewing the attached video, that I would under no circumstances purchase a beverage named "Pocari Sweat". Even if I knew what a "Pocari" was.

    --
    I am not a crackpot.
  4. And give you a drink by nfras · · Score: 4, Funny

    almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea

    --
    You call me a pedant? I prefer the term "correct"
  5. how long before kids fake it and buy bear or smoke by Joe+The+Dragon · · Score: 5, Funny

    how long before kids fake it and buy bear or smokes?

  6. Not sure what you're thirsty for? by Monkey_Genius · · Score: 2, Funny

    How about Refreshing Crack!

    --
    I've got your sig, right here.
  7. Re:how long before kids fake it and buy bear or sm by Korin43 · · Score: 5, Funny

    They sell bears in vending machines these days? I feel old.

  8. Do not want by Locke2005 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I tried telling the machine my age and gender, and it just kept trying to sell me used panties!

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  9. Re:Profit? by Locke2005 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Volume!

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  10. Re:Martini by by+(1706743) · · Score: 3, Funny

    If you're looking for a martini, a dapper suit / eyebrow arch isn't enough -- you should probably be packing a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walther_PPK#Overview">Walther PPK...

    Tangentially related, a shaken martini is more watered down than a stirred one. Guess Bond's a sissy.

  11. Re:Profit? by Dumnezeu · · Score: 3, Funny

    Profit: telling everyone what to eat or drink. People are so fucking lazy that they'll bite this! "Oh, I don't have to decide what to eat/drink? How cool!"

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    Yes, it's sarcasm. Deal with it!
  12. Re:Martini by Kratisto · · Score: 4, Funny

    I went to Japan a couple years ago and did quite a bit of cycling around Tsukuba. Pocari Sweat is like their Gatorade. It tastes fine at first, but the more you drink it, the more it actually tastes like sweat. By the end of a long day, you might as well be ringing out your shirt.

    --
    Conscience is the inner voice which warns us that someone may be looking.
  13. Re:Why? by TapeCutter · · Score: 4, Funny

    "When is it OK to drink them? Easy to remember answer: Never.

    You must be the life of the party.

    --
    And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
  14. Re:Martini by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    don't further the oppression and abuse of the innocent Pocaris ! ! ! don't believe Wikipedia ! !

    These cute yellow furry pokemon looking animals are native to the islands of Japan, and one of Japan's best kept secrets. For centuries the Japanese have bred them for the sole purpose of producing drinks made from their delicious sweat.

    Each Pocari is subjected to several hours of hamster wheel work per day, followed by the traditionally, painful and cruel 'wringing out' ceremony (performed by old Japanese women dressed as pikachu).

    every can of pocari sweat is furthers this abuse ! ! !

  15. Re:Not new by i_liek_turtles · · Score: 5, Funny

    The last time I saw one of those, this happened.

  16. Re:Profit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Japan isn't entirely populated by laser-wielding robot overlords

    That's right, they have Ninjas, Samurai, Pokemon, and apparently a whole race of women with pigtails and extraordinarily large eyes. And the rest are laser-wielding robot overlords.