Busy consumers looking for convenient on-the-go dining options are about to get a lot more choices, as a new round of intelligent vending machines start popping up across the country. The latest machines incorporate advanced technologies that make them smarter, faster and even better tasting.
The most recent addition to the computerized vending world, as reported by
Restaurant Business Online (RBO), is called Farmer's Fridge, and it focuses on fresh, healthy food. The intelligent vending machine was first launched in a Chicago food court, and aims to please health conscious consumers looking for a quick and easy meal. The operators stock the machine daily, with offers such as fresh salads and healthy small bites like vegetables with dip or fruit. Farmer's Fridge's approach echoes many of the trends we are seeing in the food industry at large, with consumers focusing more and more on healthy eating habits.
Fresh and healthy may be the latest addition, however there are many different genres of food and drink that are being dispensed by intelligent machines. Frozen drink giant Jamba Juice now has "
JambaGo", an automated machine that can create a variety of the brands smoothies, without any employees or a storefront. The machines are currently being rolled out across the country. On the other side of the drink spectrum is a beverage near and dear to our hearts, coffee. As
Wired reports, the relatively young company
Briggo has launched their Coffee Haus vending machine, designed by Yves Bar. While Coffee Haus aims to be quick and efficient, the company says its main goal was to provide high quality coffee to consumers in areas that currently lacked offerings, such as business parks and hotels. The Briggo machine micromanages every step of the brewing process, and starts by grinding fresh beans. Users interact with the automated coffee dispenser via a touch screen on the machine, or by using an iPhone application. Not only can it memorize your orders so you get the exact same drink every time, but it also lets you know via text message when your drink is ready.
Other, even less traditional offers are on hand in some locations, such as Los Angeles. As
RBO reports, consumers in Santa Monica can satisfy their cake fix 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the Sprinkles Cupcake ATM. The vending machine is stocked multiple times a day with fresh cupcakes. Heading over to Beverly Hills? Be sure to visit the Beverly Hills Caviar vending machine as well. There is even a "National Automatic Merchandising Association" organized around these smart devices.
In a world of instant downloads, and custom everything, it is no wonder that the vending machine industry is looking to computers to keep up with demand. Consumers benefit by having on demand foods and drinks available even in places without free standing restaurants, and restaurateurs benefit from the lack of operational costs such as employee wages and rent. Be sure to check out Restaurant Business Online's full article in the source link below, and let us know what you think about these new computerized vending machines.
Source:
Restaurant Business Online,
Wired
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