Taking It To Far With Vending Machines

In Japan the human to vending  machine ratio is 24 to 1. There is thought to be more vending machines then people. That  Japan has rightly earned the name "Land of The Vending Machines".
          Japan has made it known that they mean business with utilizing technology. They have put vending machines mostly every where like : train station, arks, and lunchrooms. According to a recent  CNN article "Japan Eats: Thirsty in Japan? Ask a Machine for a Drink" states "...the drinks vending machine is equipped with a face-recognition sensor that gauges information about the customer age and gender".
            I think that is awesome; having a machine give me a drink by scanning my face. The article continues to say "Other sensors in the machine measure the outside temperature and help the machine come up with the recommendation depending on the time of the day and the season.". The new technology is amazing everyone. Even though they have way higher advance vending machines; the U.S.A has more vending machine just not as highly developed as japans.
           I am just wondering if they can make all these different kinds of things for just a vending machine to do. What kinds of new technology does the future hold. Maybe Flying cars, instant transportation, a robot ,or even a new cures for disease's . Whatever it may be I know that I wont be anything less than surprising.