Is that a vending machine?
Morning news had a brief piece about a new vending machine here in Japan. Basically, it looks like a billboard, with the vendor or other information on it, until a customer gets close enough. Then it switches over to a display of the various offerings. You have to know enough to press the offering (I think they should have put clearly marked "Press here" buttons underneath, but... it's new!) but otherwise, it acts just like a normal vending machine. Except that as you walk away, it changes back to a display again.
Basically, they've replaced all those little windows and individual buttons with a big touch panel display. The sensor to detect a customer in range is kind of cute, and I'll bet people will have lots of fun coming up with "not in use" displays. I suppose you could even run the latest ads for your preferred vendors on it...
Of course, it does mean that spotting a vending machine just got a little harder. Look for the coin slots and delivery chute, I guess.
Basically, they've replaced all those little windows and individual buttons with a big touch panel display. The sensor to detect a customer in range is kind of cute, and I'll bet people will have lots of fun coming up with "not in use" displays. I suppose you could even run the latest ads for your preferred vendors on it...
Of course, it does mean that spotting a vending machine just got a little harder. Look for the coin slots and delivery chute, I guess.