consumer

Advances in Camera Technology for Vending Machines and ATMs

Video and camera technology is used in a wide range of vending machines from food and beverage-type dispensers to ticketing kiosks and ATMs. Applications range from video security to prevent damage and theft, to uses of cameras as an intrinsic part of the transaction, such as reading barcodes or QR codes for access control.

Newer applications or in development include using video for marketing and to boost sales and biometrics for enhanced security. Facial recognition has an important role to play in both current and future applications.

Nine Out of Ten Consumers Excited About the ‘Smart Home’ Say Security and Privacy Issues Abound

Consumers foresee the arrival of the smart home as even more imminent than that of smart cars or wearable technology. And while they welcome it, their enthusiasm is tempered by some confusion around the smart home concept, as well as concerns about price, ease of use, and physical and data security, according to new research from iModerate, a leading qualitative research firm.

While consumers aren’t quite sure if the smart home is a product, a series of products, or a comprehensive system they can purchase, they envision the smart home as a means to solve numerous problems and issues they face on a daily basis. Study participants said they think a smart home would be most beneficial when they’re away from home: specifically, they said a smart home would alleviate worries of leaving an appliance on (72%); help lower energy bills (71%); and reduce burglary worries (58%).