august2024 - 22

AI TECHNOLOGY ADDS
VIRTUAL OPERATOR VISION
Elyssa Steiner, chief marketing officer
at Cantaloupe, said her company's
introduction of their Smart Cafe
system at the 2024 NAMA Show
was received enthusiastically by
operators. " We have the Cooler Cafe,
which has been out for years, using
our Smart Lock Connect technology
to keep the unit locked until a selection
is made, " Steiner said. " Our new
Smart Cafe uses AI dynamic camera
vision technology to know exactly
what the consumer buys. "
" Our Smart Cafe is, I'd say, the
next level of advancement in technology
and is a seamless consumer
experience. When they walk up to
the unit, they have a 10-inch tablet
where they can browse the planogram
if they want to view items
before they actually grab them.
Otherwise, they just tap their card
to start the transaction. The unit
unlocks automatically and then
it uses those AI cameras to know
exactly what's coming in and out
of the cooler, " Steiner explained.
" What's really cool is if I put an item
back in the wrong spot, it doesn't
matter because Smart Cafe knows
that the item went back inside the
unit regardless of where it was
placed. Once I grab all my items, I
close the door, it waits a couple seconds,
then it locks. Once it locks, it
shows me all the items on the screen
that I've removed and it charges my
card automatically, " she added.
Steiner said the Smart Café is
currently being tested by several
Cantaloupe Inc.
Customers unlock the smart cooler via a
tablet that displays product information
and serves as the point of sale.
operators and will be readily available
by fall, through either direct
purchase from Cantaloupe, or from
a reseller like AVS, who integrates
Cantaloupe's technology, along with
others, onto their coolers.
A D V ERT O R I A L C O M P A N Y P R O F I L E
For over fifty years, AVS
Companies has been a leader
in the vending / micro market,
amusement, and gaming industries.
As a nationwide distributor, our
success stems from providing topnotch
equipment and exceptional
service support, ensuring customers
have access to the latest and most
reliable products. Our product
2408AUTM_AVSCompanies-CorpProfile.indd 1
lineup includes advanced vending
machines, amusement equipment,
and video slot machines from all the
premier manufacturers.
What sets us apart is our
dedicated service team, which
ensures every piece of equipment is
expertly installed, maintained, and
serviced along with all the necessary
parts. This commitment to excellence
7/16/24 1:15 PM
22 Automatic Merchandiser * August 2024
has established AVS Companies as a
trusted industry partner. Introducing
AVS Connect, our newest subsidiary,
marks a significant milestone. AVS
Connect offers innovative bundled
market solutions for operators,
providing a comprehensive suite of
technology services and products
that streamline operations, enhance
efficiency, and boost profitability. As
we move forward, AVS Companies
remains committed to delivering
superior products and exceptional
service, continuing our legacy of
innovation and leadership in the
industry. For more information
about our company, please visit
avscompanies.com.
http://www.avscompanies.com
august2024

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