The use of alcohol vending machines is one of the futuristic elements of the bartending scene. The modern alcohol vending machine is a work in progress, using the latest software from the Internet of Things. Artificial intelligence brings automation to the fore to ease transactions, save time, and ensure the integrity of purchases. As it were, with the alcohol vending machine, the future is already here.

Futuristic Bars and the Alcohol Vending Machine
Although legalities vary between jurisdictions, Australia has strict laws regarding the adoption of alcohol vending machines, including their location and advertising. The technology applied in these machines remains a game changer in the industry in the following ways:

● Convenience
Although some may argue that the vending machine eliminates the bartender's place, the machine can issue champagne, but it cannot mix specialty drinks. Neither will it pop the champagne, but many are willing to pay almost double to get some champagne.

That is the case if the vending machine will keep them from sitting at the bar waiting for their turn with the waiter. These are fast times, and the alcohol vendor keeps the pace brisk by eliminating time wastage.

● Responsible Drinking
Some vending machines also require a coin or card to verify transactions. Patrons buy that at the bar counter, which shows that the bartender remains part of the future bar.

The coin or card, among other things, verifies the age of the buyer. Considering the legalities of underage drinking, it originally appeared that a vending machine could lack mechanisms for confirming the age of buyers.

Not so, as vending machines require buyers to register themselves with their card system before conducting any transactions. Some software allows virtual registration that customer can perform using their phones before visiting the vending machines.

The registration process requires the user to upload a copy of the personal identification document and credit card or mobile banking details. Some also require a user's picture ID. The machine's software stores this data.

The customer's picture helps the machine identify the buyer at every visit over a specific duration, such as an evening. When the machine senses that the buyer has had enough, it declines further dispensing of alcohol to the buyer. It promotes responsible drinking.

● Reliable Cashless Transactions
When customers access the vending machine, they input a special authentication code to ensure the authenticity and safety of transactions. The software verifies the customer's age and deducts the billed amount for the transaction from the customer's registered debit or credit card. So, the customer does not need to carry an ID and cash or credit and debit cards when going out for a drink.

● More Profits
The convenience and ease of transactions are a boost for the hospitality industry. They have brought a marked increase in sales, more so for cashless transactions. The vending machine is an advantage for clients relying on credit cards, such as tourists and travellers.

● Supports Market Research
Besides sales, tracking inventory is crucial in checking the health of an alcohol business. Alcohol vending machines record valuable data such as buyers' favourite drinks and peak buying hours. Such insights provide feedback that guides business decisions.

Business managers and owners know what to stock and remove items with low or no sales. They add fast-selling items. Some vending machines display marketing and advertising information on their screens. Sellers exploit peak buying hours to post such ads so that more customers view them.

Some develop marketing gimmicks such as promotions and discounts to improve the uptake of slow-moving or new items. They also use the data to keep the machines adequately stocked to meet the demands of their customers.

Conclusion
Alcohol vending machines in Australia offer convenience and ease of access to favourite drinks.

They have improved profitability. Some customers, though, feel they mark the demise of the human link at the bar- the patient and sympathetic bartender. It is the price to pay for technological advancements in the entertainment and hospitality scene.