Facial Recognition Vending Machine Debuts

Peter Hanami writes "Yesterday in Japan, a facial recognition vending machine went on sale that can tell the age of the buyer based on a range of features including number of wrinkles, bone structure and how the skin sits on the face. It was developed as a way to stop minors from buying cigarettes from vending machines. In Japan, cigarette vending machines are a common feature on the street and presently few safeguards exist to stop younger users from purchasing them. This new machine is seen as a positive step to reduce under age smoking. If the machine doesnt deem the buyer to be of suitable age, 20 years old, the buyer must provide further identification such as a drivers licence."

They're pretty neat but...

[Chris Burke]

How come no matter what button I push this damn vending machine keeps spitting out Clearasil?!

Re:Why not just use the DL at first?

[urcreepyneighbor]

Deny... me... my... cigarettes?!

Kamikaze the machine!

Re:What about other nationalities

[Aladrin]

"and require an identification card of some sort."

Ah, so you read the summary. Very bold of you, sir.

FTFS: "the buyer must provide further identification such as a drivers licence."

Need these in pubs and clubs!

[myowntrueself]

No, not for the vending machines, but so that blind-drunk guys can get a machines 'expert opinion' as to whether their prospective, er, 'date' is under age or not...

Whats next?

[Matt867]

Whats next? A machine that calculates your weight based on a picture it takes of you and if it deems you obese refuses to sell you a coke?

Quite a trick for women.

[psoriac]

As far as I can tell, Japanese women between the ages of 14 and 32 all look the same age.

Here is a marketing idea

[CrazyJim1]

Put a Vending Machine with masks of old people in it next to it. Intelligent kids can buy cigs for their friends and make a profit too. Everyone wins.

Re:Hmmmm

[boobavon]

+1 panties.