Smart vending machines can now report back to mom about a student's lunch choices. If they can do this, why can't there be a machine where homework is inserted and parents automatically notified if it isn't turned in on time?
The Healthy Vending program, from Horizon Software International, a food-service technology company, makes healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables available in vending machines and can track students' purchases so parents know what they're eating.
Another entry in healthy vending is DeliZone by VendSMARTT from S-L Technologies. According to the company, breakfast or lunch selections are automatically set up based on the time of day. A la carte selections are available at any time. S-L Technologies has been working to implement the program with administrators in the Corpus Christi Independent School District in Texas.
The machines offer more choices and flexible eating schedules since they can be available 24-7. Long lunch lines could be a thing of the past since the machines will eventually pay for themselves. Maybe they will even replace our favorite restaurants. Can you imagine going out to eat and being surrounded by vending machines that only offer healthy fare? Then, your parents or doctors get a printout of everything you buy. Actually, it sounds like a pretty good idea to me. When I was teaching, I usually hit a vending machine if I forgot my lunch due to the long serving lines. The vending machines I used offered candy bars and Little Debbies. Progress is good.