Re-Imagined Web Interface Vending Machine
YouTuber Guided Electronics revamped a vending machine for web purchases using a Raspberry Pi and an Arduino.
Since you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance that you’ve considered what you could do with a vending machine if you were to gut the electronics and put in your own. As seen in the video below, YouTuber Guided Electrons actually did such a hack, converting a normal vending machin–with buttons, branding, and cash insertion functions – into something that looks like a vending machine from another world.
The revamped machine has no buttons or traditional soda-themed branding. Instead of a picture of a refreshing drink, the front glass is blanked out and is sanded. Fluorescent lighting inside is replaced with LED strips for a diffuse illuminated effect.
Computing-wise, the new machine runs off of a Raspberry Pi 4, which takes care of communications with the web. An Arduino Mega reads sensors and handles the machine’s vending functions via a relay board. The machine also has a new locking mechanism, which is made using 3D-printed parts and controlled from a web app.
The new machine looks amazing, though potential customers might be confused by its lack of buttons. Instead of cash or even credit card payments, the machine works via an online payment interface. This aspect was reportedly quite straightforward to set up, though the overall project is described as a “massive undertaking.”
On the other hand, it was an excellent learning experience for Guided Electrons, and he reports that, “If everything goes well, the user gets their soda, and I get my money.” Money plus learning something new, what could be better?
