Nominations open for 2026 Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Awards

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

The organizers of the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation (ARKI) Show are accepting nominations for the 2026 ARKI Awards, recognizing the companies, products, deployments and technologies driving innovation across the automated retail, kiosk, vending and self-service industries.

Ray Friedrich talks AI, automation, next era of self-service

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Ray Friedrich reflects on the lessons learned from introducing some of the industry's earliest self-service technologies, discusses how AI is changing customer experiences and explains why successful automation is about enhancing — not replacing — the human element.

Modern vending: Factory-built, field-tested

by Dale Laszig — Founder, DSL Direct LLC

Behind great vending customer experiences lies a collaborative design process involving cabinet manufacturers, payment providers and software developers. In recent interviews, industry experts described how these partnerships are reshaping unattended retail from the inside out.

Former Ford worker in kiosk fiasco considers legal action

A former Ford worker has retained an attorney after being fired for allegedly failing to pay for a $1.95 cookie at the Kentucky Truck Plant, according to a…

Vending

Vending machines service is the primary service for most convenience services operators. Vending usually refers to food and refreshment service machines, including candy/snack machines, cold beverage machines, hot beverage machines, refrigerated food machines and frozen food machines.