This project focuses on reimagining the role of vending machines in campus life. Rather than viewing them as isolated snack dispensers, we approached them as part of a larger food-access system that supports students during time, location, and infrastructure constraints.
Through interviews and observations during peak usage times (morning rushes, class breaks, late nights), we identified that vending machines are heavily relied upon when traditional food sources like the mess or cafés are closed, or when students are short on time.
However, the existing user flow is severely compromised. Students struggle to locate machines or know their inventory in advance. The system is entirely dependent on unstable internet connectivity, leading to frequent payment and location errors. Furthermore, the physical effort required to retrieve items—wrestling with a heavily weighted security flap—adds unnecessary friction.
Our proposal addresses these challenges by introducing a networked, offline-first, and user-centered system. By integrating digital, physical, and ethical considerations, we aim to make campus food access more reliable.
It's 11:30 PM; the mess is closed, and you're midway through a project. Instead of walking aimlessly, you open the Networked Discovery System. You don't just look for a machine; you search for "Protein Bars". The Map Feature shows you exactly which machine has them in stock.
You arrive, but the campus Wi-Fi is down. Because the system is Offline-First, you simply tap your phone against the reader. A Proximity Verification prompt ensures you're at the right machine before the offline wallet clears the payment. Finally, instead of wrestling with a heavy, weighted security flap while balancing your phone, you easily lift the new Outward Opening Flap to grab your food.
If we had to re-imagine the vending machine service with a bigger lens—one that addresses overall student well-being and inclusivity for different roles like security guards and workers—we must ask harder questions: