Sherry Shum, a 37-year-old retail worker in Hong Kong, has adopted a new shopping habit thanks to a smart vending machine near her home in Chai Wan. Using her phone to scan a QR code, she opens the machine’s door, selects items like a bottle of Coca-Cola, oolong tea, and potato chips, and walks away after spending HK$60 (US$7.70). The entire process is quick and seamless, with the machine automatically detecting and charging for items as she picks them up.
The convenience of these open-door vending machines stands out compared to traditional models. Shum notes that she can grab multiple items at once without waiting for them to drop individually, a feature that also avoids the occasional jams in older machines. The payment is settled instantly once she closes the door, using her preferred payment method.
Shum now shops at the machine almost daily, appreciating the efficiency and ease of use. The technology behind these machines uses AI to recognize products by appearance and process transactions automatically, making the shopping experience faster and more reliable.