America has a lower minimum wage than quite a few places so automation isn't as cost effective as in other places with higher wages. Japan has loads of vending

America has a lower minimum wage than quite a few places so automation isn't as cost effective as in other places with higher wages. Japan has loads of vending machines. In Germany you can get cigarettes from vending machines. Automated check out is similar. With the continuing drop in the cost of scanners and computers it's hard not to see this kind of thing increasing.