Vending machine technology has long lagged behind where it could be, given the fact that vending machines have been around for more than a century. Aside from the odd machine that offers hot drinks or ice cream, the latter hardly much of an accomplishment given that most units are refrigerated to begin with. Japanese vending machines offer users a lot more possibilities than American ones do, but offering packaged gadgets is similar to offering packaged food. At least one company feels that the way of the future might be hot, freshly made food from vending machines.
Wonderpizza gives the consumer more variety in their snack foods, offering pizzas to order at the touch of a button. The machine is stocked with pizzas that are cooked in a high intensity toaster oven, popping out in about 2 minutes with a crust at one of three crispness settings. The pizzas are individually sized and retail for about $5.
Now if only they could make a version with a wood-fire pizza oven - that would be a vending machine definitely worth stopping for!
[thanks, anna!]














