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NFC vending machines brought in for US cities
6 Dec 2011

Three US cities are to benefit from vending machines that work using near field communication (NFC) technology.

Cantaloupe Systems, which provides machines that dispense a variety of products, is to pair up with Google Wallet to bring the capability to Washington DC, New York and Chicago.

Consumers will be able to buy goods by swiping their mobile phones across readers. The NFC technology then deducts the money needed without the person having to root around in their pockets for change.

Co-founder of Cantaloupe Systems Anant Agrawal said the firm wants to deliver better choice to customers and also improved service.

"Adding this cashless mobile payment option - and its potential extensions into improved merchandising - is a great step toward accomplishing that," he added.

Last month, it was reported that new vending machines in Japan are to be able to interact with people who use their NFC technology.

They will greet customers and even deliver rewards to frequent users of the machines.