Machine Types
Smart Fridge
Term from the vending glossary
Refrigerated cabinet equipped with sensors or cameras that automatically detects removed items and settles payment after the door closes (Grab-and-Go, no keypad required).
A Smart Fridge is a refrigerated cabinet that opens following authentication and automatically identifies removed items — using weight sensors, cameras, or RFID tags. Payment is settled after the door closes. This eliminates the need for customer keypad selection and removes the operator's restriction to coil-compatible packaging.
This cabinet design is particularly suited to fresh products: salads, bowls, and sandwiches can be loaded without packaging constraints imposed by mechanical dispensing. However, cold-chain responsibility increases, since fresh products have expiration dates and each door opening introduces heat.