February 15th, 2020
By Jeff Adair, Editor

Biometrics have been around in some form or another for decades, mostly used in private corporations and Government facilities.
 
The technology has also been frequently utilized in movies as far back as 1968’s 2001 A Space Odyssey. As biometrics have become more accepted by consumers around the world, we’re seeing many companies develop biometric systems for payments, security and other transactions.

The most famous use of biometrics to date is Apple Pay, a technology released by Apple, Inc in 2014 which enables their customers to make payments with either their fingerprints or facial recognition.

More Consumers Are Open to Biometrics

Up until 10 years ago, it wasn’t uncommon for the average consumer to tell you that they still preferred to exchange currency when making payments but times have changed and more people of all ages are open to using biometrics. 

A   recent study  by Visa showed that more people are using biometrics on at least one of their electronic devices and will be open to replacing their passwords in favor of using biometrics wherever it's accepted. 

Thanks to a  recent report   from Bloomberg, we know that Visa, Inc will be making a big adjustment to their swipe fees for the first time in 10 years which includes lowering vending machine interchange rates starting in April.

The move by Visa also acknowledges the fact that the U.S. Credit Interchange structure hasn’t changed in 10 years. Visa felt that it was time to adjust their swipe rates to keep their products competitive in the changing marketplace since they also are working hard to optimize the value that the brand has in the eyes of consumers.

Will Encourage More Consumers to Use Their Visa Card at Vending Machines

This move by Visa will without a doubt encourage more consumers to use their Visas at vending machines worldwide, making it more convenient for people to get their favorite snacks, drinks, and healthy foods from a vending machine when they are at work, school, or on the go . 


Thanks to a recent study by Shekel Brainweigh, Ltd we know that 90% of consumers who use self-checkout at grocery stores worldwide want to have the machines that automatically identify the items that they are checking out.

The biggest reason why more consumers want to have self-checkout machines automatically identify the items that they are checking out is because 75% of consumers in the same study also stated that they had previously experienced difficulties with self-checkout.

One of the most common problems with self-checkout machines includes the consumer's difficulty with entering items via self-checkout themselves and having to rely on a store employee to come and override their transactions.
 
More Consumers Are Slowly Accepting Self-Checkout  

What do consumers do when it’s 1:00 am and they are hungry? If the only thing that’s open is a fast-food restaurant, they will order the food that the restaurant has to offer them. Thankfully, with Chowbotics, eating healthy is something that anyone can do 24-7 because Sally, their fresh food “robot” makes healthy food available anywhere the Chowbotics vending machine is placed.

Not Just A Pre-Packaged Salad

Consumers these days are accustomed to buying salads and grain bowls at convenience stores and supermarkets around the world but the reality is that those foods are far from fresh. Most pre-packaged salads available at supermarkets and convenience stores are often made days in advance.

With the Chowbotics robot, consumers have the option of ordering the salad or grain bowl of their choice because all of the fresh ingredients are conveniently stored in Sally so that a consumer can purchase a salad, breakfast, healthy snack, grain bowl or ethnic cuisine at the touch of a button.

Got Tech News? Email Jeff Adair
National Sales Director / Editor
Call 847-331-4256
Reach 11,450+ vending professionals!
You are receiving this information because you have expressed interest in vending, office coffee and/or micro market service news. Sent to you by Vending Connection 1-800-956-8363.