Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1545684
36 tobaccoasia Issue 4, 2026 July / August By Thomas Schmid Vending machines have come a long way from their coin-operated, spring-loaded origins. Once little more than mechanical dispensers offering limited product choices, today's machines are sophisticated retail platforms embedded with advanced electronics, software, and connectivity. In regulated sectors such as tobacco and nicotine prod- ucts, this evolution has been particularly pronounced. Modern vend- ing machines now serve as secure, compliant, and highly efficient extensions of licensed retail, bridging the gap between consumer de- mand for convenience and regulatory requirements for control. Modern Vending Machines Redefine Tobacco and Nicotine Sales Technology-driven manufacturers help expand the possibilities of con- ventional tobacco and nicotine product retail. Automatika: engineering the future of regulated vending At the forefront of this transformation stands Au- tomatika. Led by partners and co-c.e.o.'s Antonio Pellegrino and Fabrizio Pizzinelli, the Italian firm specializes in high-tech vending machines tailored to regulated product categories. Automatika built its reputation on a vertically integrated approach that spans mechanical engineering, electronics, software development, and after-sales service. "From the outset, our goal has been to in- novate the traditional vending sector through ad- vanced engineering and proprietary technologies," explained Antonio Pellegrino. "This philosophy has enabled us to control our entire production cycle in-house, ensuring both quality and adapt- ability," he said. Automatika Aura. Credit: Automatika s.r.l. Automatika Nico. Credit: Automatika s.r.l.