I suppose there are a few people who wonder why I find vending machines interesting and blog about them. I’ll try to keep this short and to the point:<\/p>\n
1) Vending machines can fabricate an item on demand. Example: the Pouchlink system (reLink<\/a>)<\/p>\n 2) Vending machines can be significant point-of-sale locations. Example: Automated C-Stores (reLink<\/a>)<\/p>\n 3) Vending machines can sell “niche” products. Example: the Art-o-mat (reLink<\/a>) 5) Virtual vending machines offer brands of all sizes a myriad of opportunities; from brand marketing to research and development. Example: VirtualThirst (reLink<\/a>)<\/p>\n 6) Virtual vending machines allow consumers to customize products and lets vendors collect data on consumer preferences. Example: Reebok in Second Life (reLink<\/a>)<\/p>\n 7) Virtual vending machines could provide consumer data to real product customization and ordering websites. Example: Nike iD\/NBA2k6 (reLink<\/a>), and Dell in Second Life (reLink<\/a>)<\/p>\n 8) Vending machines are an excellent kind of “smart appliance” which can connect with users in a variety of ways. Example: A report today over on C|Net, “Machines give kids lessons in food, finance” (Link)<\/a><\/p>\n Hopefully that collection of links explains why a product design\/virtual world blog takes an interest in the generally overlooked vending machine. If there’s an area that’s ripe for growth, that one is a good candidate imo. I can imagine all sorts of possibilities. Unfortunately, this latest news under #8 will include fewer opportunities for people like Adam Sandler to write songs about lunch ladies<\/a>.<\/p>\n (Related post discussing a larger system of which these could be a part – reLink<\/a>.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I suppose there are a few people who wonder why I find vending machines interesting and blog about them. I’ll try to keep this short and to the point: 1) Vending machines can fabricate an item on demand. Example: the … Continue reading
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\n4) Vending machine marketing is stuck in the Dark Ages and there is room for innovation. Example: the MobVend (reLink<\/a>)<\/p>\n