Professor Hanington`s Speaking of Science: The science of vending machines, Part 2
(World News Science)

GARY HANINGTON This week I will continue my column on the science of vending machines, picking up from where we left off. It is a fascinating technology that will seriously expand in the next decade as unskilled labor clamors for a minimum wage of $15 per hour. The vending machine is actually one of the first robots that provided a service in exchange for money. But, being a piece of equipment, and usually standing unguarded, you can imagine the danger they constantly face. Not only does it have products within its structure but they contain collected money as well – which may amount to well over $200 in the coin box, a tempting target outside a closed gas station at night. Historically, the...