Which came first the chicken or the—WTF! Why is that egg in a vending machine? Some innovative farmers in Germany have decided to merge the convenience of grocery store chains with the wholesomeness of farmer’s markets by operating refrigerated vending machines that dispense farm fresh goods. The farm, Peter-und-Paul-Hof first started with customers picking up fresh milk from refrigerators on their property but now have expanded into eggs, potatoes, butter, cheese, and sausage in thirteen towns. Check out the news video after the break (my apologies but it’s only available in German and just discusses the milk distribution).
Vending machines in Germany are dispensing goods fresh from a farm
We’ve been experiencing some “global economic fluctuations” for the last few years, and it’s raised a lot of questions about the nature of our economy and the free market. This isn’t an economic blog, but this re-examination of the market has a big impact on technology and vice versa. Open source software and hardware, community edited and maintained information sites (wikis), and social networking will reshape international commerce. But the restructuring is likely to extend into traditional businesses as well. Not only can a vending machine take a fingerprint as payment, but now we see them supplying farm goods. The machine removes the middleman (distributors, chain grocery stores) and provides incentives to the supplier and consumer. Essentially, automation has removed a job to the benefit of others. We’re likely to see much more of that as robots and computer programs become more sophisticated.
The vending machine concept evolved rather organically. The Peter-und-Paul-Hof farm first experimented with having customers pick up fresh milk directly from the farm to save on delivering expenses. Slowly, they expanded into distributing to key locations. By partnering with RegioMat, vending machines could be included and the type of goods available were expanded. After just a few years, the Hof farm is supplying thirteen different locations in Germany with a variety of products. Provided they are under some sort of roof, the RegioMat vending machines can function outside all year long, and essentially give consumers 24-hour access to farm fresh goods. A few have even been placed along Swiss hiking trails. Potatoes, cheese, and sausages with fresh eggs? Sounds like a campfire omelet to me.
Admittedly my information here is a little shaky (my German is…basic to say the least) but I can’t find an indication of when Peter-und-Paul-Hof or RegioMat plan to expand the vending machines into further markets. Certainly the potential exists, and similar systems could easily be adapted into locations almost anywhere. Given the rising interest in local and organic farm goods for economic and health reasons, we may see the agricultural vending machines become quite popular. Automated agricultural – I use to think that would mean robotic farmers or gardeners, but obviously I was thinking too narrowly. From farm to consumer there are many opportunities to streamline the delivery of food, increasing efficiency and lowering costs. Who knows, maybe one day you will buy the cow from the vending machine, too.
[photo credit: RegioMat/SpringWise]
[video credit: RegioTV]
Comments
I think the article auther is a bit naive when he rejects the possibility of a socialist response to the unemployment that automation may create. Once unemployment approaches 50% (probably quite a bit before that), even the US is going to implement more and more socialist solutions to percieved issues in the society. I think this may already have started with Medicare. This is aconsequence of being democratic. (Being a republican in economic issues, I don’t find this appealing at all.)
The only alternative, is to somehow move away from democracy, which may eventually be the result, but at a later time, I think.
If singularity really happens, this is not very relevant compared to what comes after, though. My personal belief, is that once human beings can be replaced by AI’s for all productive purposes, some point will come when we will be discarded physically, as well. The robots will remove us, either because they are moved to do so by an ever smaller elite of corporate owners, or because they somehow achieve full autonomy.
The only alternative, the way I see it, is for us humans to evolve in a way that makes us able to compete on an equal basis with the AI’s we create, possibly through some combination of cybernetics and genetic advances.
“Japanese vending machine model moves to Europe. News at eleven.”
Seriously, if you can get most products and services today through some type of vending machine, what is the use of a convenience store? Chalk up another industry in the sights of automation!
We will have vending machines with just the *udders* built into them.
Hahahaha you made my day
We will have vending machines with just the *udders* built into them.
Hahahaha you made my day
People serious about their health weight their food. We have two food scales and no one in our house has a weight problem. You shouldn’t need to be told anything. Why does someone have to explain to you people how to stay healthy. You all know what you’re doing wrong- stop eating crap and starting eating real foods (fruits and? veggies). Eat correct portions and get your butts off youtube and go workout and you’d have no weight issues.
People serious about their health weight their food. We have two food scales and no one in our house has a weight problem. You shouldn’t need to be told anything. Why does someone have to explain to you people how to stay healthy. You all know what you’re doing wrong- stop eating crap and starting eating real foods (fruits and? veggies). Eat correct portions and get your butts off youtube and go workout and you’d have no weight issues.
No no no. I’ve been over this before.
We will have vending machines with just the *udders* built into them.
Think about it – we have machines that can keep lungs and hearts alive outside the body now. We’re growing organs. It’s not that far a stretch of the imagination to stick a grown udder into an organ-sustaining machine and put a finger print scanner on it to get a glass of literally the freshest milk.
No no no. I’ve been over this before.
We will have vending machines with just the *udders* built into them.
Think about it – we have machines that can keep lungs and hearts alive outside the body now. We’re growing organs. It’s not that far a stretch of the imagination to stick a grown udder into an organ-sustaining machine and put a finger print scanner on it to get a glass of literally the freshest milk.