December 27, 2011 report
Kraft uses Intel technology in vending machine to target customers by age
The vending machine doesn’t take a photograph, it simply scans a person’s face, using some type of optical sensor, processes the information it finds, such as the distance between the eyes, nose and ears, and then makes an age estimation that it uses to allow or deny a free treat.
The partnership between Kraft and Intel has apparently been ongoing for a couple of years as Kraft seeks new ways to grab the attention of customers and Intel works out real world ways to differentiate people from one another. As with most such ventures, the first such product, a similar scanning machine that could suggest an entire meal for someone based on gender, size and age, was deemed too ungainly. The new machine currently being used by passing adults at the aquarium is apparently just the right size and in addition to its technical abilities also employs a bit of humor, brushing children aside as if they were little more than pests.
The new vending machine also appears to be a glimpse of things to come, as other companies are most assuredly working on similar technology, all aimed at selling more products to a cooperative public. Thus, in addition to television, radio, animated billboards and Internet advertising, we will all likely soon be subjected to various machines studying our bodies and faces to discover clues about our gender, age, race, health and perhaps level of wealth based on our clothing, so that those that wish to sell us things can be more discriminating in their advertising. All thanks to both investments in technology and the willingness of the public to give up some bit of their privacy in exchange for the reward of a simple sweet treat.
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© 2011 PhysOrg.com
User comments
That's like chimps in a lab. Imagine what the world is like in 20 years! This is much worse and much more probable than Terminators hunting people.
We will become slaves of the machines, but not by force. Instead they make us their dogs and chimps. "Do this and you earn a treat!"
It costs pennies to make.
Who's in charge of R&D at Kraft ?
You're fired.
I could put a crayon in my nose and come up with something better.
I don't know about you, but when I'm walking around in public, the one thing I always get the craving for is pudding.
Hell, while they're at it, I want a pizza printer vending machine that prints slices off a perforated roll of crust.
Yes, I'm laying the sarcasm on thick, I do understand what they are testing out CH, I just am amused as all get out at the fashion in which they have chosen to do so.
Cutout of an adult's heat on a stick?
Page from a magazine ?
That's why it's so funny. Out of all the things they could have used to test this...
..pudding.
I'm gonna go dangle a pudding-cup--on-a-string out of my window and see what I can catch :P
Let 'em eat cake!
Etc.
Hey look, a pudding sample----> [u]
..closer...cloooser
"What on earth've you got on?"
"I know, I know - but my PS[Personal Stylist]'s moved abroad and without her to advise me I'm totally lost to know what to put on!"
We seem to be moving not just towards a totally prosthetic 'civilization' but one where we need our kettles to tell us whether it's time to drink coffee or tea yet and our polling booths to tell us who we should vote for.
And boy wouldn't our masters and betters love that!
" Hey mister, I just need some tapioca, I got the shakes "
You really want something adults will flock to ?
Say it with me:
" Single-serving bacon slices "
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