Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 459,468 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,234 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,377 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,234 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,377 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,208 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 459,468 cutting edge ideas.

100 Alternative Vending Machines

From Robotic Soft Serve Clerks to Twilight Novel Dispensers

— August 17, 2011 — Lifestyle
As life gets more and more fast-paced, the desire for alternative vending machines that dispense more than just soda cans has risen in the last few years. From a luxury coffee machine that sells your favorite Starbucks brew to Japanese used underwear dispensers, these inventive vendors range from practical to the completely bizarre.

Of all the alternative vending machines, my favorites are definitely the hot food and pizza dispensers. As a full-time pizza enthusiast, I must say these automated retailers would be quite useful, especially after a long night out with friends. The art vending machines are also exceptional, putting a unique spin on the selling and trading of artwork.

The next time you find yourself traveling, I suggest you keep an eye out for one of these useful alternative vending machines. You never know when you might have the sudden urge to pick up a copy of Twilight on-the-go!
6.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
99
Robotic Soft Serve Clerks
Robotic Soft Serve Clerks
The Ice Cream Vending Robot at Tokyo Summerland Makes Yummy Treats
<
98
Geeky Device Dispensers
Geeky Device Dispensers
The Metrix Vending Machine Will Satisfy All Your Geeky Cravings
<
97
Projected Auto Dispensers
Projected Auto Dispensers
The Mini Vending Machine Serves Up the Latest 2011 MINIs
<
96
Virtuous Vending Tools
Virtuous Vending Tools
The Coca-Cola Japanese Red Cross Charity Soda Machines are Donation-Ready
<
95
Dish-Dispensing Campaigns
Dish-Dispensing Campaigns
Corelle Chip-Resistant Dinnerware Sold in Vending Machines
<
94
Novel Vending Machines
Novel Vending Machines
Polk County, Florida Introduces Library Book Vending Machines
<
93
Social Vending Machines
Social Vending Machines
Pepsi's New Vending Machines Encourage Sharing
<
92
Clairvoyant Vending Machines
Clairvoyant Vending Machines
Kraft Meal Planning Solution Scans Faces to Determine What to Eat
<
91
Virtual Movie Vending Machines
Virtual Movie Vending Machines
Flix on Stix Rents Movies Straight to Your USB Drive
<
90
Pedal-Powered Water Dispensers
Pedal-Powered Water Dispensers
Vitaminwater Company Activate Releases a Cyclable Vending Machine
<
89
Marital Vending Devices
Marital Vending Devices
The 'Autowed Wedding Machine' is a One-Step Solution to Pricey Nuptuals
<
88
Eggcellent Food Dispensers
Eggcellent Food Dispensers
The Egg Vending Machine Provides Fresh Eggs on a Daily Basis
<
87
Cig Machine IDs Face Recognition
Cig Machine IDs Face Recognition
Japanese Innovation
<
86
Smarty Pants Vending Tech
Smarty Pants Vending Tech
The Intelligent Vending Machine Puts Knowledge to Good Use
<
85
Vending Machine Votes
Vending Machine Votes
Guerrilla Obama Support
<
84
Cashless Robotic Retailers
Cashless Robotic Retailers
Next Generation Biometric Vending Machines are in Beta Testing
<
83
Communal Crustacean Dispensers
Communal Crustacean Dispensers
This Crab Vending Machine Sells Live Shanghai Hairy Crabs
<
82
Magazine Images as Fake IDs
Magazine Images as Fake IDs
Face-Recognition Vending Machines Fail
<
81
Baguette Vending Machines
Baguette Vending Machines
Jean-Louis Hecht Provides Fresh Bread Outside His Bakery at All Times
<
80
Fingerprints As Credit
Fingerprints As Credit
Hitachi Biometric Vending Machine Requires Customers to Give It the Finger
<
79
3D Refreshment Dispensers
3D Refreshment Dispensers
Coca Cola Japan Changes the Face of Vending Machines
<
78
Bicycle Parts Vending Machines
Bicycle Parts Vending Machines
Trek Stop Tune Ups
<
77
Vending Machines as an Art Medium
Vending Machines as an Art Medium
<
76
Teamwork Vending Machines
Teamwork Vending Machines
The Coca-Cola Friendship Machine Rewards Amiability With Double the Pop
<
75
Witty Vending Machines
Witty Vending Machines
These Juicy Drench Dispensers Will Take Your Brain Power as Cash
<
74
Lactating Vending Machines
Lactating Vending Machines
Huts Conveniently Provide Farm Fresh Milk to Thirsty Italians
<
73
Swimwear Vending Machines
Swimwear Vending Machines
The Standard Hotel Creates Suit Dispensing Devices
<
72
Condom Machines for Kids
Condom Machines for Kids
Vending Machines In Brazilian Schools
<
71
Branded Gadgets On The Go
Branded Gadgets On The Go
Best Buy Vending Machines
<
70
Gold Vending Machines
Gold Vending Machines
TG Gold Super Markt to Sell Jewels in Train Stations & Airports
<
69
Sobriety-Testing Vendors
Sobriety-Testing Vendors
The Pronto Wine Vending Machine Only Serves the Sober
<
68
Mobile Fast Food Franchises
Mobile Fast Food Franchises
The Access Agency McMobile Takes McDonald's on the Road
<
67
Vegetable Vending Machines
Vegetable Vending Machines
For Vegans On The Go
<
66
Art Vending Machines
Art Vending Machines
The ALIFE Art Machine Dispenses Boxes of Artistic Creations
<
65
Passive Aggressive Entertainment
Passive Aggressive Entertainment
Vending Machines That Smash China
<
64
Butcher Vending Machines
Butcher Vending Machines
Spain's Izarzugaza Butcher Shop Installs Sausage Vending Machines
<
63
Free Clothes From Human Vending Machines
Free Clothes From Human Vending Machines
Uniqlo Heat Tech Innerwear Campaign
<
62
Converted Cigarette Machines
Converted Cigarette Machines
Hamburger Automatenverlag Vending Machine is a Mini Bookstore
<
61
Fruity Vending Machines
Fruity Vending Machines
Japan Gets a Healthy Snack Alternative With Dole Banana Vending Machines
<
60
Vending Machine Advisors
Vending Machine Advisors
These Japanese Recommendation Vending Machines Cure Indecisiveness
<
59
Junk Food Vegetables
Junk Food Vegetables
The Baby Carrots Campaign Aims to Help Kids Eat Healthier
<
58
Spinning Food Dispensers
Spinning Food Dispensers
The New Twist Vending Machine from Fiesta Group
<
57
Reverse Vending Machines
Reverse Vending Machines
The Dream Machine Makes it Easy and Rewarding to Recycle
<
56
Vending Machine for Prescription Drugs
Vending Machine for Prescription Drugs
InstyMeds
<
55
Touchscreen Soda Machines
Touchscreen Soda Machines
Samsung uVending Dispenses Food, Internet, Take Photos of Criminals
<
54
Trapped in Self-Service Machines
Trapped in Self-Service Machines
Jobsintown Guerrilla Campaign
<
53
Farm Fresh Vending
Farm Fresh Vending
German Man Expedites Feeding Process via Regiomat Vending Machine
<
52
Pizza Vending
Pizza Vending
The ‘Let's Pizza' Machine Makes Dough and All in Just 3 Mins
<
51
Pizza Vending Machines
Pizza Vending Machines
'Let's Pizza' Cooks a Snack for Consumers in Under Three Minutes
<
50
Healthy Snack Vending Machines
Healthy Snack Vending Machines
Japanese Feast on Sweet Potato Cookies
<
49
Medical Vending Machines
Medical Vending Machines
MedCentre Machines May Put Pharmacies Out of Business in the UK
<
48
Shoe Vending
Shoe Vending
Onitsuka Tiger's Sneaker Vending Machine
<
47
Vending Machine Roulette
Vending Machine Roulette
Put in Your Money and Take Your Chances
<
46
Obscure Vending Machines
Obscure Vending Machines
5 Japanese Innovations
<
45
Chicken Vending Machines
Chicken Vending Machines
The NOAH Egg Machine Shows the Plight of Chicken in Factory Farms
<
44
Mood-Sensing Vendors
Mood-Sensing Vendors
Sapientnitro Unveils Smile-Activated Ice Cream Vending Machine
<
43
Vending Machine Skirts
Vending Machine Skirts
Aya Tsukioka's Sneaky Apparel is An Instant Disguise (UPDATE)
<
42
Bikini Vending Machines
Bikini Vending Machines
Quicksilver Teams with Andre Balazs for Hotel Pool Convenience
<
41
DIY Vending Blending
DIY Vending Blending
Coca-Cola Freestyle Vending Machine Lets You Design Flavor & Calorie-Count
<
40
Art Vending Machines
Art Vending Machines
The Kunstautomat in Berlin Dispenses Miniature Masterpieces
<
39
Vending Machine Seats
Vending Machine Seats
The 'Pay & Sit' Park Bench Makes You Pay to Take a Load Off
<
38
Vending By Mood
Vending By Mood
Sadness Gets More Ice Cream
<
37
Vending Machine Boutiques
Vending Machine Boutiques
Mobil-Tee-Vending May be the Next Clothing Retail Channel
<
36
Luxury Coffee Vending Machines
Luxury Coffee Vending Machines
Starbucks Hot Drink Machines
<
35
Solar-Powered Vending Machines
Solar-Powered Vending Machines
Golf Balls & Drinks
<
34
Vending Machine Burgers
Vending Machine Burgers
Tateishi Burger Has Patrons Order Burgers via Machine
<
33
Vending Machines That Break Things
Vending Machines That Break Things
Smashing Way to Release Anger
<
32
Street Artist Stencils
Street Artist Stencils
iBanksyMachine Lets Everyday People Become Famous Artists
<
31
Vending Machine Prescriptions
Vending Machine Prescriptions
Pharmatrust Uses Video Chat to Connect You with a Pharmacist
<
30
Fast Beer Vending Franchises
Fast Beer Vending Franchises
‘Beer Thru' Brew and Convenience Drive-Through Stores
<
29
Marijuana Via Fingerprint
Marijuana Via Fingerprint
So Cal Vending Machines Sell Pot
<
28
Vending Machine Flats
Vending Machine Flats
Afterheels from Michael Stead Prevent Late Night Foot Pain
<
27
Pizza Vending Machines
Pizza Vending Machines
The Wonderpizza of Italy Kiosk
<
26
Wine Vending Machines
Wine Vending Machines
The Skybar
<
25
Sun Screen Vending Machine
Sun Screen Vending Machine
No More Rub Downs on the Beach
<
24
Drunken Shoe Vending
Drunken Shoe Vending
Rollasole Lets You Ditch Uncomfortable Heels for Ballerina Flats on the Go
<
23
iPod Vending in Department Stores
iPod Vending in Department Stores
eSpot at Macy's
<
22
Graffiti Vending Machines
Graffiti Vending Machines
The Graffomat Makes Sure Graffiti Artists Have a Stock of Supplies
<
21
Vending Machines for Books
Vending Machines for Books
Novel Idea Dispenses Literature Via Touchscreen
<
20
Nutritious Vending Snacks
Nutritious Vending Snacks
Lo Fresco's Healthy Vending Machines Offer Good-for-You Foods
<
19
Bizarre Vending Machines
Bizarre Vending Machines
Ice Cream Made Cooler With the Moobella Robotic
<
18
Denim Vending Machines
Denim Vending Machines
Buying Designer Jeans Just Got As Easy As Buying a Soda
<
17
Santa Vending Machines
Santa Vending Machines
The Muji Christmas Machine Bring Cheer and Festivity to Barcelona
<
16
Auto Vending Machine
Auto Vending Machine
Smart Idea
<
15
Automated Instant Noodles
Automated Instant Noodles
Cup Noodles Vending Machine Gives Ramen Push-Button Simplicity
<
14
Roadside Bike Fixers
Roadside Bike Fixers
Take Care of All Your Cycling Needs With the Bicycle Repair Station
<
13
Boyfriend Vending Machines
Boyfriend Vending Machines
Push a Button, Get a Date
<
12
Post-Apocalyptic Vegetable Farms
Post-Apocalyptic Vegetable Farms
Lettuce-Growing Vending Machine Produces Sunless Salad Greens
<
11
Automated Gift Shops
Automated Gift Shops
Luxe Next-Gen Vending Machines Replace Retail Boutiques
<
10
HD Vending Machines
HD Vending Machines
Sapient Interactive 'uVend' Interactive Coke Machine Hits North America
<
9
Vending Machine Cosmetics
Vending Machine Cosmetics
Sephora Launches Make-Up Dispensers at JCPenney
<
8
Hot Food Vending Machines
Hot Food Vending Machines
Automatic Satisfaction Back in NYC
<
7
Human Vending Machines
Human Vending Machines
Kit Kat's Man-Powered Promo at London Victoria
<
6
Vending Machines As Secret Entrances
Vending Machines As Secret Entrances
Hidden “Bodega” Shop in Boston
<
5
Touchscreen Vending Machines
Touchscreen Vending Machines
The aCure Vending Machine Debuts in Japan
<
4
Used Underwear Vending Machines
Used Underwear Vending Machines
In Japan, Everything Goes
<
3
Accessories Vending Machines
Accessories Vending Machines
The Berlinomat Design Automat Brings Products to Transit Hubs
<
2
Bicycle Vending Machine
Bicycle Vending Machine
BikeDispenser.com
<
1
Boutique Vending Machines
Boutique Vending Machines
‘U*tique' Upscale Automated Retail Shopping
<