PepsiCo to debut new generation vending machine - Social Vending System

PepsiCo, a global manufacturer of convenient snacks, foods and beverages has launched a new, more convenient and people-friendly version of the vending machine named the ‘Social Vending System’. The state-of-the-art vending system will make its debut at the National Automatic Merchandising Association’s One Show in Chicago from 27-29 April 2011.

pepsi social vending machine

Equipment Innovation group, the newly created group at PepsiCo, is responsible for the design of the Social Vending System. The brief given to the group required full control of the latest available technologies for the development of this system. Milwaukee-based DCI Marketing and Venice Beach, California-based Protagonist worked together with the PepsiCo team to create the user interface (UI) and the design of the new tech-system.

Features of the new launch will include a full touch screen. Its digital technology has been stated to allow its users to gift a drink or a food item to a friend. In order to do so, the user will have to select the desired ‘gift’ and send it by typing in the recipient’s name, cell phone number and a message along with it.

The high-tech communicator cum vending machine will also come equipped with an option to attach a video recording along with the selected gift, recorded at that very instant. In order to receive the gift, the recipient will simply have to follow the instruction and the mention system code delivered along with the gift at any of the PepsiCo Social Vending systems. The extremely social system, as defined in its name, generously offers the option of thanking the sender of the gift. The company has made use of telemetry – a technology that allows remote measurement and reporting of information, at this newly developed vending system, which offers several other distinguished luxuries for its users.

Operational benefits such as making changes in the online content, partial management of inventory, the schedule for delivery, messaging options are all included in this single system. Another feature, termed as the “Random Acts of Refreshment”, by the company, allows its users to avail new options like purchasing and sending edibles to random persons in another city or location as an act of good faith.

PepsiCo has stated plans to further develop its new invention and conducts its testing with some of its partners in late 2011.

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Via: Pepsico