From creative brand promotions that involve customized vending machines to innovative cultural pursuits like the short story vending machine, there are plenty of unexpected applications of automated retail culture that can be observed.
As consumers become more concerned around the origins and nutritional value of food and beverage products, vending machine concepts that involve fresh food options seek to re-imagine stereotypes about just what type of food can be purchased from a machine.
Separately, other cultural movements can be seen with their own vending machine counterpart. A winning example of such is the cannabis vending machine at a particular Washington State dispensary. The cannabis vending machine, legal based on recreational laws in the state, is one iteration of the influence of the desire for convenient, automated retail alternatives.
40 Unexpected Vending Machines
40
Flip Flop Vending Machines
Old Navy's Shoe Vending Machine Trades Tweets for Flip Flops
39
Candy-Dispensing Public Benches
The Kit Kat Bench Rewarded Those Who Rested for 60-seconds
38
Gamified Recycling Programs
This Initiative Aims to Encourage Recycling During the Rugby World Cup
37
Fresh Food Vending Machines
Let's Pizza Makes 100 Different Variations from Scratch
36
Unconventional Shop Displays
Fendi's Designer Pop-Up Shop Displays Include Vending Machines
35
Vehicle Vending Machines
The Carvana Dealership Gamifies Car Pick-Ups with a Car Vending Machine
34
Selfie Vending Machines
This Japanese Beverage Dispenser Offers a Complimentary Portrait
33
Umbrella-Lending Vending Machines
These Japanese Beverage Dispensers Offer Free Umbrella Rentals
32
Frozen Food Vending Machines
BICOM's Machines Release Frozen and Hot Food on Demand
31
Short Story Vending Machines
This Machine Opts for Dispensing Literature Rather than Junk Food
30
Exercise-Dependendant Water Machines
This Machine Requires Users to Run for Clean Drinking Water
29
Vending Machine Retail Displays
This Fendi Window Display at Harrod's is Inspired by Arcade Kiosks
28
Lager Vending Machines
The DraftServ Beverage Vending Machine Lets the Consumers Be the Bartender
27
All-Natural Cosmetics ATMs
These 3FLOZ Vending Machines Sell Travel-Sized Beauty in Airports
26
Cannabis Vending Machines
American Green Has Built the First Consumer-Operated Marijuana Atm
25
Nail Polish Vending Machines
Essie Nail Polish Can Now Be Purchased at a Vending Machine
24
Pastry Vending Machines
This Cool Vending Machine in Japan Dispenses Fresh Crepes
23
Nature-Swapping Vending Machines
Old Spice's Vending Machine Accepts Tokens from the Earth
22
Customizable Pizza Kiosks
NXT Pizza's Food Kiosk Lets Foodies Personalize Their Order
21
Ramen Noodle Vending Machines
This Unconventional Vending Machine Provides Savory Noodle Dishes
20
Poverty-Alleviating Vending Machines
The Automatic Food Dispenser Initiative Serves Poor Areas
19
Umbrella Vending Machines
'brellaBox is the World's First Rental Service for Sharing Umbrellas
18
Rice-Dispensing Machines
This Food Vending Machine Produces Steaming Rice for Chinese Students
17
Skincare Airport Dispensers
Online and Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport is Where to Buy Proactive
16
Junk-Refusing Vending Machines
These Healthy Snack Vending Machines Reference Your Medical Records
15
Tampon Vending Machines
O.B. is Appealing to Potential New Customers Candidly
14
Travel Souvenir ATMs
Souvenear is a Craft-Dispensing Vending Machine at Kansas City Airport
13
Galleria Caviar ATMs
This Caviar Vending Machine is Located in Los Angeles
12
Interactive Candy Kiosks
BMC's 'Media Kiosk' Collects Data, Mobile Payments and More
11
Floral Vending Machines
24Flower in Amsterdam is an Innovative New Retail Concept
10
Sweat-Activated Drink Dispensers
Gatorade's Drink Vending Machine Only Serves People Who Sweat
9
Coffee-Dispensing Crosswalks
This Nescafé Coffee Campaign Bring Strangers Together Via Technology
8
SIM Card Vending Machines
This Vending Machine Automates the Process of Giving Out Mobile Tech
7
Competitive Vending Machines
Knacki's Vending Machine Game Pit People Against Leo Van Der Elst
6
Free Book Vending Machines
JetBlue Launches a Free Book Vending Machine as Part of #BookBattle
5
Building Block Vending Machines
This LEGO Coca-Cola Machine Works Just Like the Real Thing
4
Sensory Vending Machines
Holiday Autos' Vending Machine Dispenses the Smells of Summer
3
Aromatic Vending Machines
This Vending Machine Provides Mood-Enhancing Scents of Summer
2
Noise-Rewarding Vending Machines
This Pepsi Vending Machine Gave Out Free Drinks to the Best Fans
1
Automated Cooperative Dispensaries
This Greek Milk Vending Machine is Powered by a Dairy Co-op
Related Ideas
Branded Confectionery Kiosks
This Delicious Nutella Pop-Up in Brazil is the First of Its Kind
Candy-Dispensing Public Benches
The Kit Kat Bench Rewarded Those Who Rested for 60-seconds
Gamified Recycling Programs
This Initiative Aims to Encourage Recycling During the Rugby World Cup
Free Vending Machines
Innovative Vending Solutions Encourages People to Tweet for Snacks
Remixed Plant Logos
This Company Recreated Iconic Brand Logos Using Lush Green Foliage
Automatic Bartenders
The Foxtender is an Alcohol Vending Machine with a Compatible Payment App
Soda Brand Factory Visits
This Coca-Cola Brazil Campaign Was a Response to Negative Rumors
Selfie Vending Machines
This Japanese Beverage Dispenser Offers a Complimentary Portrait
Umbrella-Lending Vending Machines
These Japanese Beverage Dispensers Offer Free Umbrella Rentals
Wind-Resistant Umbrellas
The Cypress Umbrella Features a Telescopic Suspension System
Anti-Theft Umbrellas
This Secure Umbrella Comes with a Built-In Combination Lock
Epicurean Vending Machines
Mormedi 'Button Gourmet' Shop Doles Out Cold Drinks and Hot Food
Virtual Vino Pop-Ups
This Virtual Wine Vending Machine Pop-Up is Inside a Subway Station
Social Media Vending Machines
IHeartRadio's Kiosk Turns Instagram Posts into Free Merchandise
Frozen Food Vending Machines
BICOM's Machines Release Frozen and Hot Food on Demand
Short Story Vending Machines
This Machine Opts for Dispensing Literature Rather than Junk Food
Exercise-Dependendant Water Machines
This Machine Requires Users to Run for Clean Drinking Water
Charitable Water Bottles
The Sale of 'Alter Ego' Water Bottles Helps to Improve Clean Water Access
All-Natural Cosmetics ATMs
These 3FLOZ Vending Machines Sell Travel-Sized Beauty in Airports
Digital Reading Stations
PressPad Lounge Loans Digital Magazines to Mobile Devices
Tweet-Rewarding Vending Machines
This Pop-Up IKEA Vending Machine Gives Prizes for Hashtags
Conceptual Dairy Displays
This Colorful Milk Display Case was Designed with the Shopper in Mind
80s Film Cafes
Pepsi Recreated an 80s Cafe Experience for Back to the Future Day
Futuristic Postal Offices
Canada Post's New Postal Office Has a Self-Serving Shipping Kiosk
Fresh Food Vending Machines
This Machine Ensures That Fresh Meals are Accessible to Everyone
Cannabis Vending Machines
American Green Has Built the First Consumer-Operated Marijuana Atm
Short Story Vending Machines
These Public Dispensers by Short Edition Provide Free Short Stories
Recycled Clothing Initiatives
H&M's New Global Change Award is in Honor Reclaimed Fashion Actions
Twitter-Powered Shopping Cranes
The Topshop Playland Pop-Up Lets Visitors Pay with a Tweet
Ethical Vending Machines
Fashion Revolution's Experiment Tests the Allure of Cheap Fashion
Clothes Recycling Initiatives
Reformation's RefRecycle Asks Shoppers to Send in Old Outfits
Ramen Noodle Vending Machines
This Unconventional Vending Machine Provides Savory Noodle Dishes
Capsule Soda Dispensers
The New KEURIG KOLD Instantly Prepares Pop Drinks from Capsule Pods
Poverty-Alleviating Vending Machines
The Automatic Food Dispenser Initiative Serves Poor Areas
Tech-Lending ATMs
Drexel University Has Introduced an iPad Vending Machine for Rentals
Cola-Honoring Notebooks
This Limited Edition Notebook Celebrates Coca-Cola's 100th Anniversary
Anatomical Emblem Redesigns
This Coca-Cola Logo is Rebraded With Parts of the Body the Drink Harms
Eco Vending Machines
Volkswagen's Think Blue Vending Machine Accepts Old Batteries As Payment
Pop-Up Water Bars
London's H2Only Just Serves Glasses of Tap Water
Clean Water Vending Machines
These Water ATMs Help Bring Clean Water to the Streets of Nairobi
Water Awareness Toilets
This Year's Glastonbury Festival Will Feature a Transparent Toilet
Practical Recycling Campaigns
Multi-Material BC Highlights the Potential for Product Reuse
Indulgent Customized Coffees
Coffee Bean Now Allows You to Customize Its Ice Blended Drink
Skincare Airport Dispensers
Online and Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport is Where to Buy Proactive
Outerwear Photo Kiosks
Canada Goose Set Up a Fun Photo Kiosk at the Sundance Film Festival
Creatively Folded Cartography
Origami Map Were Made to Prompt Business's Google Maps Registration
Antimicrobial ATM Machines
Corning's Gorilla Glass Reduces the Spread of Germs in Public
Travel Souvenir ATMs
Souvenear is a Craft-Dispensing Vending Machine at Kansas City Airport
Sugar-Taxing Cities
This UK City is the First to Impose a Voluntary Sugar Tax to Fund Kids' Health
Galleria Caviar ATMs
This Caviar Vending Machine is Located in Los Angeles
Interactive Candy Kiosks
BMC's 'Media Kiosk' Collects Data, Mobile Payments and More
Melting Icy Coupons
McDonald's Limited Time Coupon Will Disappear in the Sun If Not Used Quickly
Fresh Vending
Misel Saban Counts Down Her Favorite Examples of Fresh Food-Dispensing Machines
Sweat-Activated Drink Dispensers
Gatorade's Drink Vending Machine Only Serves People Who Sweat
Vending Machine Halloween Pranks
This 'Candy Kittens' Vending Machine Dispensed Tricks, Not Treats
Coffee-Dispensing Crosswalks
This Nescafé Coffee Campaign Bring Strangers Together Via Technology
Thievery-Based Flight Promotions
JetBlue is Offering Free Giveaways to People Who Steal Their Ads
French Fry Vending Machines
This Vending Machine Design Dispenses Fired Potatoes and Sauces
Social Media Candy Machines
Grey Istanbul's Vending Machines Imagine How Instagram Filters Taste
Free Book Vending Machines
JetBlue Launches a Free Book Vending Machine as Part of #BookBattle
Building Block Vending Machines
This LEGO Coca-Cola Machine Works Just Like the Real Thing
Sensory Vending Machines
Holiday Autos' Vending Machine Dispenses the Smells of Summer
On-Demand Bike Rentals
This App Gives Memebers Access to Mobile Bike Rentals
AIDS Awareness Coffee
AIDS Concern Hong Kong's Free Coffee Truck Addresses HIV Stigma
Water Conservation Campaigns
The MEC Homewaters Campaign Boasts Environmentally Conscious Values
Literacy-Encouraging Kites
Stories in the Sky Uses Kites Printed with Stories to Entice Kids
Inclusive Soda Giveaways
Coca-Cola Brought its 'Share a Coke' Campaign to Remote Native Areas
Weather-Checking Umbrella Stands
The Raincheck Umbrella Stand Keeps Tabs On the Weather
Hangover-Curing Canned Soups
This Miso Soup is Filled with a Traditional Japanese Hangover Remedy
Tattoo-Supplying Colas
These Coca-Cola Packages Honor National Hispanic Heritage Month
Aromatic Vending Machines
This Vending Machine Provides Mood-Enhancing Scents of Summer
Noise-Rewarding Vending Machines
This Pepsi Vending Machine Gave Out Free Drinks to the Best Fans
Positivity Vending Machines
The Coke Tweet Machine Charges People Based on an Attitude Test
Cupcake-Trading Stations
Zappos' Product Giveaways Have People #PayWithACupcake
Satirical Soda Stunts
This Campaign for Diabetes and Health Urges Brand Transparency
Storytelling Skincare Displays
PERCH Interactive's Digital Retail Concept Features Virtual Accents
Caffeinated Wake-Up Calls
Green Cup's Coffee Promotion Brings Highlights its Authentic Origins
Free Umbrella Initiatives
UmbraCity is a Sharing Umbrella Service That Helps Students in the Rain
Vending Machine Pranks
The Independent Health Foundation's Food Prank Judges Unhealthy Snacks
Connected Shoe Displays
PERCH Interactive's Digital Retail Display is Informative and Inspiring