Vending machine in Tokyo can see who you are what you want

A new Japanese canned drink vending machine uses facial recognition technology to “recommend” drinks based on the customer’s age and gender. Suggested products may also change depending on the temperature and time of day.

When a customer stand in front of the next-generation drink machines, it will take a second to process your image. “Recommended” labels will then appear on specific drink products on its touch-screen pad, and then says “Thank you” to some or “I love you” to others.

500 of the machines should be available in Tokyo and surrounding areas by March 2012.

I am not sure what I think about this. Good or bad? Just imagine standing there and the machine assumes you are ten years older (we have those days, looking so-so...), or gives you a message "you could lose some weight, perhaps try diet Coke?" or something? Aaaaaah.

But it is a cool idea. Individualism makes the customer feel important. Like we have the special "Avatar" bond: "I see you"...