Automated transaction technology applied to vending machines facilitates the purchase of goods without human intervention. A typical setup might include a combination of coin slots, bill acceptors, card readers (for credit, debit, and contactless payments), and increasingly, mobile payment options like digital wallets. For instance, a customer could purchase a beverage by inserting cash, swiping a card, or using a smartphone to complete the transaction.
This self-service functionality offers convenience for consumers and operational efficiency for vendors. Historically, these systems relied heavily on cash transactions. The evolution to electronic forms of payment has broadened accessibility, increased sales potential, and improved accounting accuracy by generating detailed transaction records. Furthermore, cashless options reduce the security risks associated with holding large sums of physical currency within the machine.
