In today’s world, vending machines overwhelm the Japanese consumer, and everything from diapers to live crabs can be had with the drop of some coins in a slot.
But one canned drink vending machine (at least so far) stands out from all the rest; this one recommends drinks to its potential customers by using facial recognition technology based on the customer’s age and gender.
Developed by JR East Water Business Co, a subsidiary of the railway firm, JR East Co, these machines use large touch-panel screens with sensors that permit the determination of the characteristics of an approaching customer.
A “recommended” label will then appear on specific drink products and these change as they are affected by variables like time of day and the outdoor temperature.
If the customer is a man, the machine is likely to recommend a canned coffee drink, since men tend to prefer these… A woman in her 20s will be recommended a tea drink or slightly sweeter product, since market research has shown that they prefer these. We thought it would make it a lot more fun for the customers to have this kind of interaction with our machines…,” said a company spokeswoman.
If the proof is in the pudding as the old saying goes, sales have tripled over those from regular vending machines.
Results are based on only one machine that has been installed at one Tokyo train station, but it is expected that by early 2011, five more will be added at central Tokyo Station and nearby suburban areas. By March of 2012, some 500 machines are slated for installation all around Tokyo and its environs.
Cool, yes, but what if you desire a more significant conversation with the machine?
Where do you go from there?
http://www.weirdasianews.com/2010/12/07/japans-vending-machine-recommends-drinks-customers/
No comments:
Post a Comment