Interactive Coffee Vending Machine
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences
2016
This project is a part of my master degree program about designing and innovating a coffee vending machine. With user in mind, I came up with a new coffee vending machine that is smart, interactive and user-friendly.
Understanding user and context of use
My goal at the end of this project is to deliver good usability, design and friendliness to users. Therefore, I started the process with exploring the context of how coffee vending machines are being used, what are the main struggles people face, and what's the real motivation behind it. So, I interviewed regular coffee drinkers who have experiences with coffee vending machines before and developed a persona.
Ideation
With the quote "Everything should be an option like choosing toppings on a pizza." from the persona, it made me think of Pizza Hut's interactive ordering system. I was inspired by it. So, my idea for the design was based on Pizza Hut's system with these goals:
● More human-like interaction between the machine and users
● Provide more options or ability to customize coffee
● Allowing users to be aware of pricing
● Provide more payment options
● Help and motivate users to care more about environment
Design
According to the Pizza Hut's concept, the main concept of how the new coffee vending machine works is interactive via touch screen display that allows users to just drag and drop to customize their own coffee.
However, I also include other concepts/features to fulfil the discovered user needs, such as:
Stress Level Detection
Design your own coffee
Got no time to design? – Check out our and other people’s menus
Bring your own cup, or pay
Real-time pricing
Stress Level Detection
Recognizing people and be friendly like a barista
This Interactive Coffee Vending Machine will not only greet you every time you standing in front of it, but also detect the your mood and suggest several coffee menus just for you in that particular time.
“Good morning! What coffee would you like to have today?”
“Oh, you seem tired. Try this. It will definitely keep you awake!”
And obviously, a thank you message every time the purchase is done.
Design your own coffee
like choosing toppings on a pizza.
The Interactive Coffee Vending Machine allows you to have unlimited creativity towards your coffee. Design one by dragging and dropping ingredients and toppings you like into your virtual cup. You can undo or restart the process anytime something goes wrong. Moreover, you can also save your marvelous recipe in the system for the next time or share it with others.
Got no time to design?
Check out our and other people’s menus
Do not worry if you are in a hurry and appreciate the fact that there’s no need to think much but just pick the coffee you like. There are plenty of choices provided just like the same old coffee vending machine. Also, you can explore bizarre coffee menus other people have designed.
Real-time pricing
It would be terrible if at the end you realize your coffee is more expensive than you have expected because you enjoy putting toppings too much. Real-time pricing will help you keep track of the price every time you add an ingredient. The system also allows you to undo the previous action in case you would like to control your budget. Moreover, to solve the small money problem, you can pay your coffee with your credit card.
Bring your own cup, or pay
This idea is raised to encourage people to reduce waste for the environment by using their own cup. Otherwise, there will be cups that made from eco friendly elements provided for them to purchase.
