Vending machine that suggests drinks

In the World News section of a recent issue of The Philippine Star, a vending machine in Japan that suggests drinks was featured.  The machine uses facial recognition technology to recommend drinks based on the customer’s age and gender.

The machine, which is developed by JR East Water Business Co. uses large touch-panel screen with sensors that allow the machine to determine the characteristics of an approaching customer.  Recommended labels will then appear on specific drink products.

If the customer is a man, the machine is likely to recommend a canned coffee drink, since men tend to prefer this;  if a customer is in his 50s, the recommendation is likely to be green tea.  A woman in her 20s will be recommended a tea drink or slightly sweeter product since market research has shown that women prefer this kind of drink.

Suggested products may also change depending on the temperature and time of day.

Technology has indeed been advancing  in a fast pace. I now think about a verse in the Bible which says, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Daniel 12:4)