|
|
Sci-Tech
JR East Unveils Hi-Tech Vending Machines
Friday, August 13, 2010
Vending Machine
Tokyo -- Visitors to Shinagawa Station are gaining the opportunity to test out the next generation drink vending machines that have been introduced by JR East Water Business Company.
Sensors installed on the machine are said to be able to recognize the age and gender of its customers with a 75% rate of accuracy.
Based on those characteristics, the machine offers its recommendations as to what the customer may like to drink. (Fortunately, customers are allowed to reject the machine's recommendations without any apparent penalty!)
Compared to it low-tech cousins, the most striking visual distinction is that the new machines are a bit larger, especially in width, and that they have a touch-screen computer display which shows the drinks that are currently available for purchase.
The new machines are said to be controlled through a centralized server, allowing for easy monitoring by the vending company.
Drinks may be purchased by either cash or instant payment systems such as the Suica Card.
Although the new machines can only be seen at Shinagawa for the time being, JR East aims to have about five hundred units in use in the Tokyo area within the next two years.
PanOrient News
© PanOrient News All Rights Reserved.
|
|
