In 2018, the concept of "smart retail" rapidly emerged within the industry, becoming the core direction for the development of new retail.

Vending machines accelerated their deep integration with the internet, big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile payments, and unmanned shelves, thus becoming an important component of the new retail ecosystem.

At the same time, traditional vending machines have undergone a functional transformation. Their role is no longer limited to "automatic sales" but has been upgraded to intelligent terminals and self-service shopping entrances. Functions such as scan-to-purchase, app unlocking, and user profile recognition have been implemented, driving the industry towards digitalization and intelligence.