Venditalia Voices: Contextual AI meets vending

In the third episode of Venditalia Voices, we explore the world of technological innovation applied to vending with Luciano Alborghetti, Chief Business Officer at N-and.

In a rapidly evolving industry, vending machines are no longer simple dispensing devices: they are becoming true empathetic touchpoints, capable of engaging with users and anticipating their needs.
 

Which technological trends do you see as most relevant for the evolution of next-generation vending machines?

We are at the dawn of an era in which vending machines stop being inanimate objects and become empathetic points of contact. The trend that will shape the future is Contextual AI: not just connected machines, but systems able to sense both the environment and the user, instantly personalising language and offerings.
We envision such immersive interfaces that they turn a simple break into a memorable experience, where technology fades into a seamless interaction. The future belongs to systems that anticipate desires, reducing friction between need and that don't just serve the user, but genuinely delights them.

How does this innovation translate into the day-to-day business of operators?

Our goal is to turn innovation into a true engine of profitability. Through predictive telemetry that prevents failures before they occur, we reduce downtime costs and optimise logistics operations.
But the real economic leap comes from flexibility and new services: our solutions extend the useful life of existing assets and enhance machine performance through new business models boosting revenue per machine, accelerating ROI, and delivering higher margins.
This is efficiency that protects operators’ capital while making the business scalable and sustainable.

How important is Venditalia for you, and what are your expectations for 2026?

Venditalia 2026 will be the stage for a promise fulfilled: we will bring the future into the here and now. For N-and, this exhibition represents the accelerated heartbeat of an industry ready for its next big leap and we are ready to lead it.
We won’t showcase futuristic concepts locked behind glass, but bold, real-world technologies already in operation, designed to turn every machine into an unbeatable strategic asset. Our expectation is to spread technological optimism across the market, proving that the transition to intelligent vending is not only necessary, but an extraordinary opportunity to rewrite the rules of the game together.

Venditalia 2026 will take place from May 6 to 8 at Rimini Expo Centre, serving as the reference event for the vending and automatic distribution industry and an unmissable opportunity to discover the latest market trends and innovations.

Subscribe to our the newsletter to stay updated with the latest news from Venditalia: SUBSCRIBE HERE