In partnership with Wild Blue Technologies and Affectiva, Hershey created an interactive candy dispenser sampling machine.
Rather than requiring a brand representative run the kiosk and manually hand out treats, the machines are powered by facial recognition technology and automatically give out candy when a smile is detected.
As well as appealing to a consumer's love of getting something as delightful as a free candy sample, the 'Smile Sampler' booths include a number of other improved features for retail environments, such as lower shelving that is smooth and curved and an experiential aspect. Beyond confections and other edibles, this interactive sampling booth idea could be used as a tool for dispensing hundreds of other products.
Smile-Activated Candy Dispensers
Hershey's Interactive 'Smile Sampler' Trades a Grin for a Treat
Trend Themes
1. Facial Recognition Sampling - The use of facial recognition technology to dispense samples will become a trend in retail environments.
2. Interactive Dispensing Machines - Interactive dispensing machines with experiential aspects will gain popularity in retail environments.
3. Smile-activated Technology - The use of smile-activated technology will become a disruptive innovation in the retail industry.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Retailers can use interactive dispensing machines with experiential aspects, such as the Smile Sampler, to attract and engage customers.
2. Marketing and Advertising - Marketing and advertising companies can incorporate smile-activated technology to create engaging and interactive campaigns for their clients.
3. Food and Beverage - Food and beverage companies can use facial recognition sampling booths to dispense samples and generate buzz for new products.