FinGo, a biometric identity authentication solutions provider, is introducing FinGoVend, which is reportedly the first retail vending machine where users can now “pay and prove their age through a simple scan of their finger.”
FinGo’s vein mapping tech “connects a person’s unique vein pattern to their identity, to securely enable a range of transactions including payments, access and recently, identity verification.”
In 2020, Manchester City Council was reportedly the first “to approve FinGo for verifying age in licensed premises – so customers could pay and prove their age for a drink, with their finger.”
This year, FinGo is “taking part in Home Office trials of digital age verification technology, used to approve sales of alcohol.”
Given the age verification service, FinGoVend claims that it is “leading the way in ‘unattended retail’ for age-restricted products such as alcoholic drinks, e-cigarettes and vapes.”
Customers will simply “scan their finger, linking their unique vein pattern to their identity and digital wallet, before purchase the product.”
As noted in the update, wine merchant, Vagabond Wines and craft brewery First Chop are the first brands to “offer a selection of their drinks through a FinGoVend machine, premiering at the Vendex Midlands show in the UK on April 26th.”
Richard Garner, MD, First Chop Beer commented:
“At First Chop we’ve always looked to align ourselves with innovation and thought leadership, it’s part of our DNA. From our commitment to making 100% gluten free beers to working with progressive companies such as FinGo. It’s all about thinking a little differently and applying that with conviction to solve a market need. Enter FinGo, a company we’re really excited to watch grow in our space and hopefully make great beer more easily accessible to everyone.”
Paul Hunter, Operations Director at Vagabond Wines, said:
“Vagabond believe that great wine should be accessible to all, so we’re delighted to showcase a selection of our wines from our Urban Winery in Battersea through FinGoVend. As a company that’s all about innovation and trying new things, FinGoVend will allow us to expand our footstep and reach new wine lovers beyond our seven London locations.”
Simon Binns, Chief Commercial Officer of FinGo, added:
“We believe FinGoVend is going to be a gamechanger. Brands can expand their reach with new direct to customer relationships. For the hospitality sector, it’s a new frictionless solution to managing age verification and adding additional revenue through more sales points. For customers, it’s just much more convenient- no need to carry ID, cards or device when buying a drink.”
FinGo teamed up with the RBC Group, which is considered “a pioneer in automated retail design and manufacturing, to introduce the first FinGoVend product.”
Derek Edwards, founder of RBC Group, remarked:
“As a business innovating at the vanguard of unattended retail, our collaboration with FinGo will serve as a pivotal partnership. Integrating FinGo’s pioneering technology to enable age and identity restricted sales with our industry-leading solutions will unlock the true potential of the burgeoning unattended retail landscape, and allow us to deliver the most seamless experience for our customers.”