This article was taken from the July 2014 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
Japan is not the only country that builds vending machines for that which should not be vended. Surprisingly, fancy food dispensers are cropping up across the US, selling gourmet edibles free of human interaction.
Cupcakes
The Sprinkles bakery chain has created a cupcake ATM with a robotic arm to deliver its delicate treats upright. The touchscreen displays photos of the options (red velvet, anyone?).
Salads
The Farmer's Fridge offers choices like antioxidant salad and cauliflower fried rice in jars. Ingredients are stacked, keeping them fresh and undamaged. Salads are restocked daily.
Burritos
Heating up a frozen burrito is a losing proposition. Plus, it takes five minutes. So The Box Brands built a machine that can steam a refrigerated burrito in 60 seconds flat.
Caviar
The dispenser in front of Beverly Hills Caviar can hold $50,000 (£30,000) worth of fish eggs, all controlled for temperature, moisture, lighting and oxygen level.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
