Smart Vending Machine with Integrated Heating and Touch Interface
An innovative smart vending machine designed to deliver hot, ready-to-consume products through an intuitive touchscreen interface and automated electromechanical system.
Built around an STM32H7 microcontroller and powered by a Qt-based GUI running on a mini-PC, the machine integrates real-time control, API-based payment, programmable heating, and motorized delivery—all within a compact and modular design.
- Embedded Real-Time Control – STM32H7 with FreeRTOS handles motor control, microwave activation, and system logic.
- Qt/C++ Touch Interface – A sleek, intuitive GUI on a DisplayPort-connected screen allows product selection and heating configuration (warm/hot).
- POS Integration via RS232 – Secure, API-driven communication with payment terminals ensures reliable transaction handling.
- Programmable Heating – Real microwave oven controlled by hardware-level switches activated by microcontroller for user-defined durations.
- Motorized Delivery System – Dual stepper motors drive a tray mechanism that retrieves products and places them into the microwave, then into the output box.
- Modular Product Storage – Shelved layout enables scalability for different product types and volumes.
- Mini-PC with DisplayPort – Drives the high-resolution GUI with reliable rendering and connectivity.
- Robust Embedded Software Stack – Real-time firmware in C (STM32) and cross-platform GUI in C++ (Qt).