NAMA Show 2025: The future has arrived for automated retail

Vending Automation at NAMA

The future of unattended retail was on full display last week at the Las Vegas Convention Center. And the take-home for the approximately 5,200 attendees at the three-day NAMA Show was that the future has already arrived, thanks to the rapid pace of self-service technology and the consumer’s rising acceptance of self-service. We were happy to see Crane CPI, DPL Wireless and from our APAC group Zhilai. Cool to see Gower Smith ex-ZoomSystems there!  Here is Elliot’s terrific writeup.

Overview

What was once described as a vending show can best be described today as an automated retail show, with consumers now able to shop and pay for products on their mobile devices in seconds from various convenient environments.

Artificial intelligence computer technology, which began making inroads in vending, micro markets, coffee service and pantry service several years ago, was pervasive on the trade show floor. Self-service equipment and software providers have tapped AI to deliver an extensive assortment of offerings to take the customer experience to new heights.

From the retail operator’s perspective, the technology has improved the selling and operating experience on several fronts, Paresh Patel, president and CEO of PayRange, a payments technology provider, noted during one of the show’s education sessions. AI enabled benefits include:

• Digital payments – card, mobile and scan –increase sales.
• Centralized data management improves efficiency and reduces operating costs.
• Remote service monitoring reduces service costs.
• Data analytics improves consumer insights and predicts consumer buying habits.

“AI helps machines learn patterns, and helps machines make predictions based on those patterns,” Patel said. “The more data it has, the more data that can be analyzed and the better the predictions can become.”

In automated retail, such patterns pertain to warehousing, route planning, machine planogramming, sales forecasting, fleet management and customer service management.

One of the most significant improvements on the NAMA trade show floor was the evolution of technology designed to reduce micro market theft, a challenge that has plagued the industry since micro markets came on the scene in the mid-2000s.

Such improvements have the potential to allow micro markets to serve locations more profitably and eliminate the need for location managers to confront employee theft issues.

Micro market coolers equipped with integrated payment devices now allow users to open the cooler door after paying for their purchase.

Operators previously needed to install surveillance cameras, spend time reviewing video footage, or hire security consultants to identify theft. The biggest theft-related challenge, however, was overcoming objections from location managers who didn’t want the hassle of confronting employees about pilfering products from micro markets.

Other innovations to reduce theft on the trade show floor included an AI-enabled detection system at the point of sale that alerts the user that an item they have taken (intentionally or unintentionally) was not paid for.

Another option on display that addresses customer theft was the self-contained automated store, an innovation that also improves the overall customer experience.

While automated stores can be traced to the Keedoozle store of the 1930s that relied on mechanical keys or the Automat that used coin-operated lockers, today’s technology – AI computing, robotic technology, and smart shelf technology – has made automated stores far more customer-friendly and economical.

Other concepts on display reflected the retail industry’s adoption of automated self-service as a way to expand their retail presence.

While retailers have utilized self-service concepts to expand their offerings in the past, the recent COVID lockdowns exacerbated this awareness. In many instances, retail establishments – food stores, restaurants, gift shops, and more – looked to self-service as a way to maintain their business. The success of these offerings encouraged many retailers to sustain and expand these self-service initiatives post-COVID.

“This year’s show captured the energy and innovation driving our industry — not just in technology, but in the customer experience, product diversity and service excellence,” said Kristen Griffith, vice president of programs and services at NAMA, adding that the attendance of about 5,2000 was the highest in more than two decades.

Following are exhibitor highlights in alphabetical order.

365 Retail Markets

365 Retail Markets, a provider of unattended retail technology and a micro market pioneer, tackled the long-standing challenge of micro market theft by introducing its MarketSight solution, which tallies how many items pass under the retail scanner during purchases. By comparing that count with the total items in the shopper’s cart, the AI-powered solution can identify a mismatch and alert the user in real time.

When MarketSight spots a mismatch, it notifies the shopper, encouraging self-correction before checkout. This proactive approach reduces accidental errors and deters intentional theft.

The company also introduced a computer vision-controlled access solution for age verification on the company’s PicoCooler, giving micro markets the ability to sell age-restricted items.

With one transaction on the payment terminal, consumers can shop both the refrigerated and ambient sides of the smart store.
The solution also features adjustable day and time settings to align with local regulations.

AETI Global Ltd. Co.

AETI Global Ltd. Co., a provider of self-service entertainment technology, was among several exhibitors demonstrating the use of self service to expand a retail product offering. The company introduced its Magic Phone Case customized phone case dispensing machine that allows users to upload any image they want and print the image as the cover for a phone case.

The machine creates and dispenses the new phone case in three minutes for various phone models, including iPhones and Samsung phones.

The machine is designed for shopping malls, fairs, stadiums, hotels, museums, theme parks, cinemas and supermarkets.

Alberts

Alberts, a Belgium based maker of a self-serve fresh smoothie vending machine, demonstrated its robotic, glassfront merchandiser.

The machine has 10 vertical canisters that hold frozen fruit in bulk which, when selected, gets crushed and mixed with a small portion of hot water to automatically dispense a fresh smoothie into cups that the machine provides.

The customer selects a blend from a choice of 23 products on the machine’s touchscreen.

The customer can also create their own recipe in the mobile app from available ingredients. Each ingredient is then weighted to the gram to create the taste.

The machine automatically cleans itself after each order. The software also generates consumption and consumer data.

AVS Companies

AVS Companies, a vending, micro market and amusement equipment distributor, presented its Coolsmart AI Market powered by AI computer vision to accurately track individual product purchases and reduce theft.

The system allows operators to remotely manage sales, machine health and product inventory, and offers various payment options, including a POS terminal and QR code scanner. It also allows operators to charge sales tax.

The slide-in, slide-out refrigeration deck simplifies maintenance.

Azkoyen

Azkoyen, a Spain-based manufacturer of hot beverage vending equipment, presented its Neo Q S and Vitro X5 coffee machines.

The Neo Q S’s programming system customizes recipes and prices. It also allows automatic detection of the user’s cup that promotes the use of their own cup rather than a disposable one. It also promotes use of reusable bottles and glasses.

The Vitro X5 offers 12 selections and features an out-of-coffee detector, a blocked grinder detector, an electronic water temperature control, an electronic water level control and an optional cup detector.

brd Bot

brd Bot, a hot food vending machine manufacturer, presented its closed front robotic kiosk that heats and serves flash frozen fried food in two minutes. Offerings include french fries, chicken nuggets, mozzarella sticks, egg rolls and samosas.

Orders are placed on a touchscreen and paid for using a card
reader.

The food is delivered in a small cup from the delivery chute.

Cantaloupe Inc.

Cantaloupe Inc., a provider of software and hardware solutions for unattended retail, demonstrated its Smart Aisle, a retail store that operates without an attendant, using AI, 3D cameras and weighted-shelf technology to analyze motion and track transactions.

Consumers provide a payment method to enter the store, then remove items from the shelves, prompting the system to enter their purchases into their virtual shopping cart. Consumers verify their shopping cart prior to leaving the store, at which time their payment method is charged.

The company also demonstrated its Go Micro kiosk featuring an integrated barcode scanner and 5-inch touchscreen, as well as its Go Plus100 and Go Max kiosks and card readers.

Case Pro

Shaffer Distributing, a Columbus, Ohio-based vending and amusement equipment distributor, presented the Case Pro machine, which prints case covers for mobile phones.

The machine prints any picture downloaded from a mobile phone onto a phone case. Customers select the phone’s make and model and tap the case on the touchscreen to begin the printing process.

The customer scans a QR code to upload the picture from their phone onto the screen. They can download up to three pictures to arrange on the case screen. The machine prints and dispenses the case in a maximum of three minutes.

The machine accepts cash, credit cards, debit cards and Apple Pay.

CigarBros USA Inc.

CigarBros USA Inc. presented its glassfront, self-service cigar humidors that provide 24-hour temperature and humidity control for cigars.

All cigars come individually packed in a tube.

The single door model has six movable shelves that hold nine cigars per row, 12 rows per shelf, and a total 72 cigars.

The double door model holds nine cigars per row, 12 rows per shelf, and a total 144 cigars.

Crane Payment Innovations

Crane Payment Innovations, known as Crane CPI , presented its products and services for the unattended retail sector.

The company recently introduced its Depot Service center to allow customers to ship components to be repaired, maintained or serviced at a centralized CPI location. This will enable customers to take advantage of the quality, speed and cost effectiveness that comes with trained CPI technicians having direct access to the expertise of its own manufacturing design engineers and fully stocked parts.

Among the products on display was the COTI coffee machine, offering barista-quality beverages. The machine features the following:

• A 21-inch touchscreen with ADA compliance.
• Drink menus offering a variety of coffee, espresso and tea.
• Customizable beverage options with a “Save my Drink” option to encourage return users.
• A flexible user interface that allows operators to customize drink menus, drink names, and screen content and images, plus full HD video content.

Crave Robotics Inc.

Crave Robotics Inc., based in Taiwan, introduced upgrades to its CraveBot Hot Food Vending Kiosk, which addresses the demand for ready-to-eat, precooked frozen meals. The machine, which features 140 individual slots, serves hot food in three minutes or less.

A newly enlarged ordering touchscreen on the front of the machine meets the ADA requirement of being 48 inches from the floor. The touchscreen can also display advertisements and interactive games while the customer waits for their meal to be served.

The kiosk is stocked and serviced by either Crave employees or certified service partners. Staff from partner locations can also assist with replenishment.

Repairs are handled either by Crave service technicians or third-party repair technicians.

Menu items include breakfast, entree, dessert and snack items provided by third party providers Liang’s Village, Baoazza and Chubby Cattle. Crave Robotis also offers its own Gourmet Now branded chef crafted meals such as teriyaki chicken rice box and gyudon beef rice box.

DPL Wireless

DPL Wireless, a provider of managed connectivity in the IoT industry, reintroduced its MDB Restart, a feature that allows self-service equipment operators to remotely power cycle any MDB (multi-drop bus) device.

MDB is a communication standard used in vending machines and other automated devices that enables the communication between machine components, including payment systems, control boards and peripherals.

MDB Restart reduces the need for on-site service calls and minimizes equipment downtime.

ECRS Software Corp.

ECRS Software Corp., a transaction and retail solutions provider, demonstrated VisionCheck, its new computer vision self-checkout kiosk that allows shoppers to place their items on a tray where they are scanned using vision technology during checkout.

The ECRS’ Speed Tender feature within the company’s Catapult software suite enables scan-and-go, eliminating unnecessary steps at the point of sale.

The company also demonstrated its chip and tap technology for EBT purchases. Traditionally, EBT cards relied on magstripe technology, leaving them vulnerable to fraud and misuse.

Benefits of SNAP EBT chip cards include:

• Increased security measures to combat fraud, including skimming incidents.
• Protection of SNAP benefits through encryption technology.
• Assurance for SNAP participants that their benefits are safe and secure.

Expressions Kiosks

Expressions Kiosks presented its greeting card and gift card printing kiosk featuring more than 7,000 designs covering a variety of occasions.

The kiosk allows consumers to personalize gift cards in real time by adding text or uploading images. The system can transfer photos from a mobile device using a QR code.

Host locations can upload their own designs to align with brand identity and product offerings.

The kiosks utilize a fully contained printer capable of printing full edge to edge.

Haha Vending

Haha Vending, a China-based company with U.S. operations, introduced several AI-enabled glass-front smart cooler vending machines. The coolers allow customers to grab several products and pay for them simultaneously.

Features include AI recognition technology to conduct precise shopping behavior analysis, accurately identify the types and quantities of purchased goods, and ensure accurate settlement.

Additional features include a touchscreen POS reader, LED light strips, movable shelves, anti-fog heating doors, aluminum alloy doors, an automatic evaporation water box, and credit, debit and mobile payment.

The company also offers an app that displays inventory count, sales count and auto-generated restocking orders.

Ice Rebus USA

Ice Rebus, a Croatia-based company with a U.S. operation, presented its ice vending machine.

The machine uses a water line connected to the local water provider to make ice cubes from purified water. It can produce 1,000 pounds of ice in 24 hours and store up to 400 pounds of ice.

The machine dispenses bags that customers use to get the ice, or they can use their own bags or containers.

Customers can pay with cash or coins, and the machines can be fitted with a credit card acceptor. The machine can be monitored remotely.

idw

idw, a manufacturer of cooler solutions, presented its micro market coolers, including a horizontal cooler powered by Hiron AI.

The coolers also feature weighted shelves, health timers and cameras.

The company has also expanded into glassfront vending machines and display racks in the unattended retail space.

Company partners in the unattended retail space include AVS, 365 Retail Markets and Pepsi Quik Pick.

Imbera

Imbera, a manufacturer of refrigeration equipment, presented its AI-enabled smart coolers for micro markets. The smart coolers address the problem of theft in micro markets by requiring the customer to pay for their purchase before gaining access to the products in the cooler.

The user begins a transaction by scanning a QR code on the kiosk, which triggers the system to unlock and let the customer grab what they want from the cooler. The system automatically charges the customer’s credit, debit, mobile or stored value account.

Imbera partnered with Intuitivo, an AI startup, on its A-POP smart cooler that uses machine learning with computer vision technology.

Intuitivo

Intuitivo, a startup, demonstrated Oscar Sort, an AI-driven, trash-sorting kiosk. It uses a display screen and AI camera to identify recycling items from trash and instructs users which attached bin to use when disposing of waste.

The kiosk also educates users to better understand how waste is measured, reduced and eliminated.

The company also offers a cloud-based solution to transform any type of cooler or cabinet into an autonomous retail kiosk.

The user starts a transaction by scanning the QR code on the kiosk, called an A-POP, which prompts the system to unlock and allow the customer to grab what they want from the A-POP and then go. Videos of the transactions are uploaded to the cloud and the system automatically charges the customer’s credit, debit, mobile or stored value account.

Jofemar SA

Jofemar SA, a Spain-based vending equipment manufacturer, introduced its Qendra line of vending machines. The machines are for single-use packaged products, such as snacks, personal care items and books.

The machines utilize an elevator delivery mechanism to dispense products and can accept cash or credit cards using Nayax or Cantaloupe payment devices.

Two of the three models in the line include touchscreens, the QuendraTOuch and the Qendra Pro Touch.

The Qendra line will be available this summer.

The company also displayed several hot drink machines, including the Coffeemar BlueTec 335, the Coffeemar Bluetec 546, the Orion G23 and the Orion Touch.

Kiosoft Technologies

Kiosoft Technologies, a manufacturer of self-service hardware and software solutions, presented its KioVend TF45E2 frozen vending machine, featuring elevator dispensing technology and a 49-inch touchscreen.

The machine accommodates a range of temperature-controlled items, including fragile and frozen goods, offering 45 slots and holding up to 270 items.

The company’s payment reader can integrate with other vending machines via the MDB protocol, enabling cashless payments, loyalty programs and remote machine monitoring.

Kupa Station

Kupa Station presented its hydration system that offers fresh water in 16 different options at the touch of a button, including flavors crafted from molecules extracted from real fruits and plants.

The water is plumbed into the machine from the local water system.

The station features a display screen for customized messaging, in addition to a product selection touchscreen and a contactless payment reader.

The display screen allows interactive engagement with customers, including live chats, news, videos, Q&As and surveys.

Wireless connectivity allows the station to be monitored from a smartphone, tablet or computer. The management interface generates real-time reports and schedules alerts for system maintenance.

LE Vending US

LE Vending US, a vending equipment manufacturer owned by China based LE Vending, presented its LE308H RoboBrew Elite robotic coffee machine capable of serving more than 300 cups daily.

The machine features a 32-inch touchscreen and an integrated robotic arm to dispense cups, brew, seal and deliver drinks.

The system includes a built-in ice maker and precision heating for both hot and cold beverages.

The machine uses a cloud based platform to allow real-time monitoring of machine health, and provide sales analytics and maintenance alerts.

Micron Vending

Micron Vending, a China-based vending equipment manufacturer that builds machines under the WEIMI brand, introduced its beauty product vending machine, featuring a 32-inch touchscreen and an elevator delivery system.

AI cameras and recognition algorithms enable users to open the door and take what they need while the system automatically identifies the items and charges accordingly.

Branded “Days Fantastic,” the machine, based on the Android OS 11 operating system, offers a capacity of seven shelves with 12 slots each.

A smaller version with a 22-inch touchscreen with six shelves is also available.

Moneta Market LLC

Moneta Market LLC, a hardware and software provider for unattended retail, presented its inventory management system for micro market kiosks, office coffee service and pantry service.

The system enables operators to monitor sales trends, manage unused products, automatically receive product level suggestions and get alerts about lost Internet connections.

The software provides predictive sales reports and builds orders for future deliveries.

The company also offers a product theft tracking system.

mr. turtle

mr. turtle, a Cal Poly startup, presented its refill station kiosk for removing plastic containers from the waste stream. The kiosk allows retail customers to bring their own bottles and refill them in seconds.

Customers can purchase liquid laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap by the ounce by placing a reusable container under the dispenser, fill it and pay using a contactless credit card or contactless device.

The kiosk’s dashboard enables live inventory tracking, restocking notifications and performance analytics.

The company sources its soaps from Wallowa Valley Cleaning Products.

Nayax Ltd.

Nayax Ltd., a payments and loyalty platform provider, presented several solutions.

Nova Modu and Nova 55F offer handheld point-of-sale devices for retail and field sales. Nova Modu combines payments with POS functionality, including inventory management, loyalty tools and marketing automation. Nova 55F offers integrated printing, barcode scanning and a touchscreen for in-person transactions. Both units accept cards, mobile wallets and QR payments.

Nova Smart Cooler offers an AI-powered fresh-goods vending solution that uses sensors to track inventory and optimize product availability while maintaining security.

Nova Kiosk combines payments with catalog management, pricing tools and a full HD touchscreen. Operators can choose from wall-mount, table-mount or standalone setups.

Nova Market reduces wait times, streamlines inventory and employee management, and helps operators engage consumers with integrated loyalty and marketing tools.

VPOS Touch offers cashless payment and telemetry for self-service points of sale, accepts a range of payment types and connects to Nayax Core for remote software updates, real-time machine monitoring and maintenance management.

Olsho Korean Barbecue & Seafood

Olsho Korean Barbecue & Seafood, a San Mateo, California restaurant, introduced a fully automated robotic kitchen in a truck that allows customers to order food and have it delivered shortly after being prepared during transport.

Once an order comes in, the robotic kitchen retrieves the food ingredients from a refrigerator, prepares it and heats it. Preparation time is five to eight minutes, depending on the order. The kitchen can prepare up to four items simultaneously.

Customers can track their order in real time.

Menu items currently include Wagyu Galbi, Olsho Dak Galbi, Seoul Food and Japchae meals, with more to come.

Panoptyc

Panoptyc, which provides an AI solution to recognize theft and alert operators to suspicious behavior, demonstrated its tools that help address the number one challenge in operating a micro market.

Cameras provide clear video evidence of theft attempts, eliminating the time-consuming task of footage review.

The company’s incident reports software streamlines the operator’s theft search and flags the most suspicious events for review.

Robojo

Robojo, a fully automated coffee bar, uses a robotic arm to prepare and serve coffee in a cup in just 60 seconds. The system, known as MyAppCafe, includes a bean grinder, bean hoppers, powder flavor hoppers, a milk refrigerator and an ice dispenser, and can serve four drinks at a time.

Operators can use the Robojo coffee or coffee from a different supplier.

Customers can order and pay using the app. They can also purchase and pay at the POS terminal.

Users that upload the app can also seek a Robojo location, choose their drink, select size and flavors, select payment type and confirm their order.

Shenzhen Zhilai And Tech Co. Ltd.

Shenzhen Zhilai and Tech Co., Ltd., a Vietnam-based vending equipment manufacturer, presented its glass-front frozen vending machine featuring vertical product stacking, spirals, and a conveyor belt.

The machine features an anti-drop chute to protect fragile items during delivery, real-time inventory tracking and temperature-controlled freezing.

It offers 54 slots to hold a maximum of 524 products.

Payment options include a POS terminal, a coin acceptor and mobile payment (WeChat/Alipay).

The company also offers a closed-front frozen vending machine, as well as a hot pizza vending machine and several other vending machines.

Other links

• Lockers – Amazon Hub, USPS & Temperature Controlled –Zhilai
• Lockers UPS & Verizon In Store Pickup – Kiosk Industry
• Food Lockers for Pickup – Applebees Restaurant – Kiosk Industry
• Lockers Solar Powered – Kiosk Industry
• https://www.smartelocker.com/

Smart Retail-X

Smart Retail-X, a provider of automated retail solutions, presented its turnkey solution for automated retail stores, including floor plan designs, anti-vandal protection, surveillance management, technical support and training.

The company, which partners with Magex, an Italy-based equipment manufacturer, and WeVend, a payments gateway provider, presented a machine featuring a 22-inch monitor, height-adjustable shelves, armored console locks, temperature control with recording, data management, and statistics visualization, and a self-diagnostic trouble-shooting system.

TCN

TCN, a China-based vending equipment manufacturer, demonstrated its pizza vending machine that holds up to 80 boxes of 7- to 12-inch pizzas.

The machine is equipped with an oven that allows the heating of pizzas in three minutes. Heating time and temperature are adjustable to allow for customization.

The machine has a 32-inch infrared screen and enables bill, coin and cashless payment, including credit and debit cards, and mobile payments.

Televend

Televend, a U.K. based, global provider of telemetry products and services, introduced its vending, coffee service and micro market products to the U.S. market. The company offers a one-stop shop for both hardware and software for machine management and cashless payments.

Telemetry products for the vending, micro market and coffee service sectors include real-time data, dynamic route planning, engineer dispatching, planogramming, predictive ordering, warehouse optimization and contract management.

The company’s payment processing enables revenue reconciliation and one-click refunds, while its loyalty and engagement services offer promotions and discounts.

The company also offers a consumer app, MacJack, a mobile payment and loyalty app that connects to an RFID card for payment.

Trinity Axis Inc.

Trinity Axis Inc., a hardware and software provider, presented its Trio Kiosk, featuring a barcode/QR scanner and built-in payment card terminal. The kiosk supports micro markets, retail locations and quick-serve restaurants.

The system’s RFID access scanner allows for closed-group selling for tailored user groups such as employees, students and customers who possess RFID access cards. The kiosk also accommodates bill acceptors.

The kiosk features a digital advertising screen and integrates with multiple internet connectivity options such as SIM, Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

The system also calculates taxes in real-time based on product type and location, ensuring accurate charges for customers and simplifying the process for customer locations.

U-Select-It

U-Select-It, a vending equipment manufacturer, expanded its focus on unattended retail, demonstrating a prototype for a smart cooler scheduled for introduction in the fourth quarter.

The cooler features touchscreen and card payment interface. The system uses MDB protocol and has product recognition and planogram functionality.

The smart cooler follows the company’s Scan&Go market, which combines a snack vending machine with a cooler.

VE Solutions

VE Solutions, a provider of aftermarket products and services for unattended retail, presented its K+ Platform which it describes as a hybrid vending/kiosk solution.

The platform uses the company’s Universal Control Board to send data signals to VE kiosks, allowing the kiosks to dispense products from connected vending machines. It allows the operator to pair up to three machines and vend from one VE kiosk.

Because payment is initiated at the VE kiosk, multiple payment methods can be used, such as card, stored value and employee badge swipe/payroll deduction. The system also allows sales tax to be captured at the point of sale, while the loyalty card acceptance allows point-of-sale promotions.

The company’s partnership with Evoca, a coffee equipment provider, enables operators to connect their Emblem coffee machines to a VE kiosk, allowing them to run promotions and charge by beverage type and/or size to maintain accurate inventory replenishment.

Vendera Technologies

Vendera Technologies, a provider of hardware and software for unattended retail, demonstrated its AI-powered glassfront vending and smart coolers.

Real-time tracking captures images after every purchase to deliver updates on machine status, inventory and activity.

The company’s AI-driven vending management system optimizes inventory tracking, demand forecasting and connects operators with restockers, streamlining supply chains.

The machines accept swipe, insert and tap (Google Pay and Apple Pay) payments.

Vending Concepts

Vending Concepts, a provider of vending equipment, machine programming and configuration services, presented its Smart Shop cooler conversion program to allow operators to upgrade old coolers to cashless and digitally managed machines.

Options include:

• AI vision camera tracking
• NAMA compliant smart lock
• Voice assistant
• Video advertising screen
• Flexible payment options
• Phone support
• On-site repair

Vendtech/Naturals2Go

VendTech, a provider of vending equipment, micro markets, AI coolers, and payment systems, and Naturals2Go, a provider of health-oriented vendable products, demonstrated their combined offerings to provide an ecosystem for unattended retail.
VendTech presented its vending machines, office coffee service solutions, micro markets, fixtures, displays and card readers.

VenHub Global Inc.

VenHub Global Inc., which manufactures a fully robotic, autonomous retail store, introduced its VenHub Smart Store, allowing 24/7 unattended shopping.

Designed to serve both operators and consumers, the system eliminates on-site staffing, reduces operational overhead and delivers a personalized shopping experience.

The platform features adaptive product displays, robotic precision in-order handling, real-time inventory automation, and mobile-first customer engagement.

AI-driven systems streamline restocking, reduce waste and ensure high-demand items remain available. The system continuously responds to customer behavior and weather conditions.

In addition to its fixed smart store models, VenHub is also developing mobile units to transform existing retail environments into fully robotic, unattended stores.

Ventus

Ventus, a Digi company that provides managed network services for ATMs, kiosks and other devices, presented its VRB842 remote power reboot router featuring a dual SIM cellular router equipped with two Ethernet ports and two 10A power outlets. The device can remotely control, restart and cycle the power supply for a modem or other connected devices.

Operating in tandem with the company’s Genesis monitoring platform, the VRB842 enables the operator to oversee all locations with a single interface.

The unit comes pre-configured with no additional wiring or Wi-Fi network required. It can also be used as a cellular network router for other functions.

With two ports, the VRB can serve as a primary 4G LTE-A wireless Broadband device or as a failover to support the location if the primary network fails.

The device can support kiosks, ATMs, crypto ATMs, digital signs, game machines, lottery terminals, POS machines, smart safes, and remotely connected devices.

More Links

• Wireless Modem Ventus for Kiosks and Digital Signage
• Ventus VRB842 | Kiosk Industry
• Key Considerations for Wireless Kiosk Modems & Routers

Warehouse 15

Warehouse 15, an AI enabled mobile warehouse automation software provider, presented automated food lockers for which it provides proximity sensors, sensor integration and digital signage.

Consumers are able to access food from the lockers using a touchscreen.

The sensors allow the locker operator to know how many items have been removed.

The system includes a mobile app, server, integration middleware, speaker and development tools.

 

More Vending Automation at NAMA Resources

• • REDYREF Launches Smart Food Vending Kiosk
  • NAMA Show for Vending 2025 – Kiosk Industry
  • NAMA Vending Preview – Kiosk Industry
  • Smart Vending Machine Automation Market – Kiosk Industry
  • Book Vending Machines – Example Quote – Kiosk Industry

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Interesting Backstories

Pretty cool seeing Gower Smith of ZoomSystems still in the saddle. He could be the father of retail automation in 2002. Also have to mentioned WebRaiser. dave.gonsiorowski is now at Flex (which manufactured Redbox). Interesting ecosystem and history.