Our editors have compiled a list of five strange, tech-related vending machines you don’t see everyday, or at least we’d like to think. If we happened to miss any, please leave us a comment. “Continue reading” for the entire list.
Functional LEGO Vending Machine
Created by Anders, this fully-functional LEGO vending machine consists of four light sensors, four touch sensors, four motors, and two RCX’s. It even has a coin-slot with the total amount being shown on an LCD display.
Moobella – The Robotic Ice Cream Vending Machine
The Moobella is a Linux-powered, ice cream vending machine that delivers ice cream “right on the spot” whenever you want. Choose from twelve different ice cream flavors and a variety mix-ins — including M&M’s, chocolate chips, peanut butter cups, and more. [Source 1 via 2]
Call a Ball
Designed by Janis Pönisch, Sören Grünert, and Kirsten Hüsig, “Call a Ball” is a new concept in the form of a soccer ball vending machine — users have to send an SMS to authorize the dispensing of a ball. Thanks to an RFID-chip embedded into each ball, the machine knows its location at all times.
If you want to find people with whom to play ball, all you have to do is register as a ‘baseplayer’ at one or more kiosks. Then send out an SMS containing the codeword ‘Challenge’ to the kiosks of your choice, which will then relay it to your teammates and opponents.
[Source]
Supermarket-in-One Vending Machine
According to Rob Schloss, this vending machine is the “world’s largest” and has nearly every food item you could want — located in Strasbourg, France. Now this is something we need in our office.
High-Tech Japanese Vending Machine
Not all Japanese gadgets are strange, this high-tech vending machine sports a touchscreen display and even a built-in camera so you can watch the drink-dispensing process.
