American Green's vending machines to use facial recognition tech to enhance age verification

Phoenix, AZ-based American Green Inc.announced that it is now integrating facial recognition software into the operating system of its AGM Age Verifying Vending Machine (AGM) that dispenses cannabis and alcohol, among other adult products.

The vending machine company is employing Jumio’s AI-powered identity verification and authorization software to automatically run facial recognition for its initial customer onboarding process. Jumio has so far verified more than 300 million identities.

American Green expects Jumio software to be fully integrated and working in its AGMs by Nov. 1.

Initialing enrollment to allow purchases age-restricted items through an AGM is easy and swift, American Green said. A patron scans their driver’s license into their phone, and then shows it to the camera on the AGM. Jumio software will verify if the customer ID is authentic, authenticates against facial recognition it sees on the AGM’s camera, then detects if the customer is “live” at the machine. Jumio approves or denies the customer upon completing its biometric verification process. The AGM then confirms or denies the person who Jumio has verified.

The verified person places their index finger atop the AGM’s biometric finger vein reader for final verification. If the person fails any of the protocols, their ability to access the AGM will be denied.  If the person passes all of the AGM’s protocols, they will be enrolled and can purchase cannabis, CBD products, beer, liquor and even casino chips instantly.

The next time an enrolled person visits the AGM, all they have to do is insert their finger into the biometric finger vein reader to have full access to purchase.