automation

Why I’m Keep An Eye on Coinstar

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I’m keeping an eye on Coinstar because they seem to know where the money is.

Yes, it’s a lame joke that is, and I admit this, based on those green kiosks you see everywhere.  You know the ones, where you dump in that big pile of change you’ve accumulated and get a receipt of some kind (or even convert it to cards).  They’re everywhere it seems (especially out here in Silicon Valley), with that big Coinstar logo.

Not that geeky?  Well remember Coinstar is just part of Coinstar Incorporated.

Coinstar Inc.doesn’t just do those prominent Mean Green Machines though.  They do cards, e-payment kiosks, and so forth as part of their brand.  Neat stuff, sure, but you see it everywhere, right?

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Pizza Vending Machine. Here Comes The Future.

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Yes, a Pizza Vending Machine is coming to the US.

Now I could joke about this, or talk nerd culture, but I’m going to get serious:

  1. This is Pizza.  This is a complex assemblage.  If this works it means more interests in automated food machines, because a valid pizza can be seem as a proof-of-concept of other vending possibilites.
  2. This will also normalize food vending like this.
  3. I have predicted before that automated fast food may become a norm.  Combine the first two points and I see this as opening up new opportunities in food automation.
  4. This could lead to some other technical opportunities in engineering, mobile (imagine MOBILE PIZZA ORDERING), etc.  So if automation is your schtick (or marketing it is), pay attention.

So yeah.  Automated pizza.  This, my progeeks, is one of OUR moments.

– Steven Savage
Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/