In order to brighten up the darkest of winter days, heating company Vaillant toured a smile-activated vending machine in various locations across the UK.
The stunt was part of what the brand calls 'Warmth Week,' which was developed to draw people out of the sadness that often comes with Blue Monday, cold weather and dark winter days. The smile-powered vending machines were designed to give out hot drinks like coffee or hot chocolate when a smile was detected. These fun stations were accompanied by brand representatives who gave out snugs to keep off the winter chill, as well as other complimentary goods like warmth kits.
For those who couldn't make it out to try out one of these smile-activated machines, Vaillant also designed a Facebook app that gives out warmth ratings in order to determine the hottest or coldest spots in the UK.
Smile-Powered Drink Machines
This Vending Machine from Vaillant Gives Drinks When Smiles are Seen
Trend Themes
1. Smile-activated Technology - Developing vending machines and other devices that are triggered by facial recognition technology to provide personalized experiences and products.
2. Emotion-based Marketing - Using emotions, such as smiles, as a way to engage consumers and create positive brand experiences.
3. Social Media Integration - Combining physical experiences with online platforms, like the Facebook app in this case, to extend reach and engagement.
Industry Implications
1. Vending Machine Industry - Exploring the integration of facial recognition technology to create interactive and personalized vending machines.
2. Food and Beverage Industry - Incorporating emotion-based marketing strategies, like smile-activated promotions, to enhance customer experiences and drive brand loyalty.
3. Technology Industry - Developing advanced facial recognition and emotion-detection technologies for applications in various sectors, including marketing and consumer engagement.