Bitcoin Vending Machines?

[SirBitsalot]

We're already starting to see Bitcoin ATM's (or whatever the hell you want to call them), so my question is: when will we start seeing vending machines that accept Bitcoins? Or are they already in existence and I've been living under a rock the past few years?

I'm just fascinated by seeing Bitcoins enter the public sphere with things like ATM's. Considering still that most people don't know what the hell Bitcoins are.

[jbreher]

when will we start seeing vending machines that accept Bitcoins?

Well, vending machines have been largely unchanged for several years. Last major change of which I am aware was the default addition of a bill scanner - quite some time ago.

however, US Treasury is now actively considering changing our coinage. Seems it costs about a dime to manufacture a nickel - just as an example. They're considering smaller, they're considering different metals, they're considering... I dunno what else.

So here's the thing: If our coinage is changed, every vending machine in the USA will need to be retrofitted for the new coinage. If that happens, it's game on for any and all sundry changes to the money mechanisms.

This might be a good opportunity for bitcoin.

[Cryptopher]

We're already starting to see Bitcoin ATM's (or whatever the hell you want to call them), so my question is: when will we start seeing vending machines that accept Bitcoins? Or are they already in existence and I've been living under a rock the past few years?

I'm just fascinated by seeing Bitcoins enter the public sphere with things like ATM's. Considering still that most people don't know what the hell Bitcoins are.

Buying things from a vending machine using BTC is a very realistic possibility, but not until later down the line. Having said that I think that in the meantime it would make a great novelty in London.

[hilariousandco]

We're already starting to see Bitcoin ATM's (or whatever the hell you want to call them), so my question is: when will we start seeing vending machines that accept Bitcoins? Or are they already in existence and I've been living under a rock the past few years?

I'm just fascinated by seeing Bitcoins enter the public sphere with things like ATM's. Considering still that most people don't know what the hell Bitcoins are.

Somebody already adapted a drinks vending machine to accept BTC. There is a thread and video of it in action somewhere. This would definitely be a good idea as it's very easy to use fake money in a lot of vending machines.

[Cryptopher]

One of the great thing about BTC (or crypto in general) for transactions like this is that it reduces the requirement to store cash on site.

I don't think that Bitcoin would work very well at the penny arcade though

[davida]

This would be actually quite simple idea to retrofit.  Use a raspberry pi to emulate the coin mech.  also you could capture the price data for each product from the output to the machines original lcd.  integrate the whole thing with coinbase or bitpay api

this is an idea that coinbase or bitpay should consider.... modify a raspberry pi and add code to work on vending machines, provide installation instructions etc and then sell the new device to vending machine companies.

I could actually develop something in a few days just for a weekend project, ihave access to a few old style vending machines - using a PIC chip, gsm module and then use an online wallet service that will send a text once bitcoin payment is received at a certain address (i think blockchain.info provide this?)  I don't think i could configure it to have live exchange rate updates, but i certain could have it update via a text message hourly/daily.

im going to think about this a little more, if i make anything i'll post a video.

[Serge]

This would be actually quite simple idea to retrofit.  Use a raspberry pi to emulate the coin mech.  also you could capture the price data for each product from the output to the machines original lcd.  integrate the whole thing with coinbase or bitpay api

this is an idea that coinbase or bitpay should consider.... modify a raspberry pi and add code to work on vending machines, provide installation instructions etc and then sell the new device to vending machine companies.

I could actually develop something in a few days just for a weekend project, ihave access to a few old style vending machines - using a PIC chip, gsm module and then use an online wallet service that will send a text once bitcoin payment is received at a certain address (i think blockchain.info provide this?)  I don't think i could configure it to have live exchange rate updates, but i certain could have it update via a text message hourly/daily.

im going to think about this a little more, if i make anything i'll post a video.

no need to worry about exchange rates since bitpay and coinbase provide those already. what would be good is if someone comes to a vending machine and starts selecting an item, vending machine pulls an exchange rate of payment processor so by the time a person ready to pay it been done in background.

[Kiki112]

when will we start seeing vending machines that accept Bitcoins?

however, US Treasury is now actively considering changing our coinage. Seems it costs about a dime to manufacture a nickel - just as an example. They're considering smaller, they're considering different metals, they're considering... I dunno what else.

why not use bitcoin?

as you said, this could be a big opportunity, but how would people without electronic devices pay for food and stuff?
you would need at least a smartphone to be able to use bitcoin 

[jbreher]

when will we start seeing vending machines that accept Bitcoins?

however, US Treasury is now actively considering changing our coinage. Seems it costs about a dime to manufacture a nickel - just as an example. They're considering smaller, they're considering different metals, they're considering... I dunno what else.

why not use bitcoin?

as you said, this could be a big opportunity, but how would people without electronic devices pay for food and stuff?
you would need at least a smartphone to be able to use bitcoin 

Well, I imagine most people would buy most of their food in grocery stores. Just as they do today.

My point is that ... changing how all vending machines work is an expensive proposition. It won't happen )at least existing units in the field won't get retrofitted) unless there is there is a sufficiently disrupting event. Changing the coinage is such an event - the old machines won't work with the new coins - period. But once the machines _must_ be changed, they could add both the new coinage and bitcoin. * At this point, the incremental cost of also adding bitcoin would not be that great.

*And perhaps an inventory monitoring system that is internet-connected, to be able to phone home when stock is running low.

[Enkel]

My point is that ... changing how all vending machines work is an expensive proposition. It won't happen )at least existing units in the field won't get retrofitted) unless there is there is a sufficiently disrupting event. Changing the coinage is such an event - the old machines won't work with the new coins - period. But once the machines _must_ be changed, they could add both the new coinage and bitcoin. * At this point, the incremental cost of also adding bitcoin would not be that great.

The most likely event are dropping a coin or a change in the coin's weight. I can't imagine either of those requiring much more than a software update. The addition of bitcoin would require changes in machine design to display the QR code and an actual live network connection so that it can get at least one confirmation before vending the product. I think the network connection will be the biggest hold up for existing vending machines.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

We're already starting to see Bitcoin ATM's (or whatever the hell you want to call them), so my question is: when will we start seeing vending machines that accept Bitcoins? Or are they already in existence and I've been living under a rock the past few years?

I'm just fascinated by seeing Bitcoins enter the public sphere with things like ATM's. Considering still that most people don't know what the hell Bitcoins are.

Buying things from a vending machine using BTC is a very realistic possibility, but not until later down the line. Having said that I think that in the meantime it would make a great novelty in London.

Speaking of novelty: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=308175.0

I still say it'll be a great novelty item to have at BitPay's office in Atlanta, home of Coca-Cola.