Samsung and Coke launch touch-screen machine for interactive vending

The International CES trade show is always good for a peek at consumer technologies to come, and this year's was no exception. Such innovations are rarely short on press coverage, but one we couldn't resist mentioning anyway is a new, touch-screen vending machine from Samsung.

Developed in conjunction with Sapient, Samsung's uVending touch-screen technology brings a whole new level of consumer interaction to automatic vending. The technology uses animation and an interactive menu on its 46-inch display to advertise the product choices within the machine and guide users to make their selection. Demonstrated as part of a multimedia vending machine for Coca-Cola, the technology is also equipped with Wifi for automatic refill ordering and content updates, along with motion sensors and a built-in camera to document attempts at vandalism, according to PSFK. The new machines will appear soon in the US in the Simon mall chain, with a UK debut planned for sometime in 2010, PSFK reported. A short video demonstrates the technology at work.

What's better than technology that sells a product? Why, technology that also features ads and an interactive experience. Those behind all the vending machines we've covered for pizza, postcards, sneakers, prescription drugs and bicycle parts (among others): this one's for you! ;-)

Website: www.samsung.com
Contact: www.samsung.com/us/info/contactus.html

Spotted by: Rogier van Wagtendonk via PSFK