Smart Vend Solutions launched itself into the UK marketplace by announcing the arrival of the world’s first facial recognition enabled vending machines, at an ‘invitation only’ gathering at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire on Tuesday, 14 October.
This week’s unveiling of the revolutionary free-standing machine was the highlight of an exclusive event to launch the new Smart Vend Solutions brand to the UK market, representing ‘a huge technological advance’ for the vending industry.
An audience consisting of the UK’s leading vending, retail; technology and media professionals was treated to a demonstration of the capabilities of facial recognition in vending, at an ‘invitation only’ gathering at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire.
Part of the Stanco Services Group, which has been established for 24 years and operates nationwide from its Welwyn Garden City H.Q., Smart Vend Solutions will offer a new, nationwide one-stop shop offering vending equipment sales, maintenance and technical field support.
A member of the Automatic Vending Association (AVA), Smart Vend Solutions is the exclusive UK distribution partner of Rheavendors, one of European vending’s most established names.
The partnership has been formed to establish the Luce X2 Touch TV machine as the new standard of cutting-edge automatic consumer service, providing an unprecedented personal experience for users in a broad range of retail, office, health and education environments.
When linked to a database of self-registered subscribers (in accordance with the Data Protection Act), Rheavendors machines are capable of identifying, personally greeting and servicing the user with tailor-made options based upon historical purchases, preferences and ‘favourites’.
The advanced facial mapping system even enables the equipment to allow or disallow products based upon users’ age, gender or dietary requirements.
By using the state-of-the art software developed over the last two years by Rheavendors, the advanced facial mapping system even enables the equipment to allow or disallow products based upon users’ age, gender or dietary requirements. This represents a ground-breaking tool that could have huge implications for catering, particularly in hospitals and schools.
If, for example, the machine is programmed to identify that a recognised individual has lactose intolerance or diabetes, it can refuse to serve the user, a potentially life-saving advancement.
Smart Vend Solutions MD Malcolm Standage said “the launch of Smart Vend Solutions in the UK represents an exciting event which we believe will redefine the future of the automatic retailing industry.
‘For the last 24 years Stanco Services Limited’s core business has been in providing nationwide technical support for a wide range of traditional espresso machines as well as bean to cup, free standing vending machines and hot and cold beverage equipment.
‘Now, with touch screen technology, cashless payment systems and Smartphone integration, automatic dispensing is shaping the future of retail and we want Smart Vend Solutions to be positioned as a specialist in this area.
‘Through our exclusive partnership with Rheavendors, we’re determined to explore unexplored avenues and endless possibilities in vending. Launching the very first full production facial recognition technology represents an advancement which will bring unlimited benefits to businesses and consumers across the UK.’
