Aaeon release intelligent vending development kit
An updated version of Aaeon’s Intelligent Vending Development Kit is a complete hardware solution that makes it easier than ever before for retailers to implement the latest smart vending technologies, claims the company.
The kit includes a vending machine controller unit, a separate UP Board PC unit to handle the interactive retail functions, a motor for the machine’s internal mechanisms, a camera, a QR code device, and all the cables needed to connect these components. Additional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity components are also available on request.
Aaeon offers two versions of its Intelligent Vending Development Kit, both come with the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise OS and a customer-friendly API pre-installed. The kits also utilise the power of the UP Board and its Intel Atom x5-z8350 processor and DDR3L memory to manage a fast, effective facial recognition program.
As a customer approaches the vending machine, an image of their face is captured and their age range, gender and mood are detected. Based on the results, a particular set of products is recommended. Crucially, adds Aaeon, the process happens almost instantaneously, so there is no risk of the customer being inconvenienced.
The latest version of the development kit also incorporates Microsoft Azure and Power BI services. With this service, information about every product sold and the gender, age range and mood of each buyer is collated by Azure and broken down by Power BI’s data analytics tools. The result is real-time inventory control information and a series of insightful customer behaviour reports and charts that operators can access at any time. Users who buy this version of the development kit will also receive a 60-day free trial for the Power BI Pro service.
“Intelligent vending machines represent the future of automatic retailing,” said Aaeon design manufacturing product manager Brenda Huang. “Increasingly, customers are both expecting and relying on intelligent, interactive systems, and the data these machines collect will also give businesses an edge over their competitors.”
Aaeon designs and manufactures professional intelligent IoT solutions. It provides reliable and high quality computing platforms, including industrial motherboards and systems, industrial displays, rugged tablets, embedded controllers, network appliances and related accessories, as well as integrated solutions. Aaeon also has the hardware and services for premier OEM/ODMs and system integrators, worldwide. It is an Associate Member of the Intel Internet of Things Solutions Alliance, and offers customised end-to-end services from the initial product conceptualisation and board product development to mass manufacturing and after-sales service programs.
