Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show
Self-service innovators honored at ARKI Awards
The Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show Awards honors innovators and influencers in automated retail, kiosks and responsible self-service.
December 12, 2025 by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator
The Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show, held in Tampa from Dec. 10 to 12 kicked off its inaugural event with an awards show honoring the best movers and shakers. The awards show has four categories: Best Automated Retail Innovation, Best Kiosk Innovation, Responsible Innovation Award and Influencer of the Year.
Each of these winners made use of cutting-edge technology to address key challenges and problems in the industry, ranging from AI integration to cleaning to delivering a great self-ordering experience.
Best Automated Retail Innovation
The winner is the VenHub Smart Stores from VenHub Global. The solution aims to transform shopping with a 24/7 robotic operated store. It uses two robotic arms to move products around.
When customers arrive at the store, they check in via QR code and receive products such as a snack or beverage within one of the drop boxes. VenHub also provides ID verification, temperature control and bullet proof glass. It is integrated into an inventory management system.
"VenHub can be placed anywhere, indoor or outdoors," Jacob Akopian, representative for VenHub, said in a video.
The second place winner is Vox AI for its voice AI QSR ordering solution. It handles orders in more than 90 languages and doesn't rely on keywords to function. Prior to installation, Vox AI optimizes the platform for location-specific circumstances such as ambient noise and acoustics.
The platform is not designed to replace employees but rather to take the pressure off order taking and allow employees to focus on making food and being present for guests needs.
Best Kiosk Innovation
Fresh Blends took home the first place award for its Fresh Blender beverage kiosk with self-cleaning technology, while Airmon Inc. won second place for its Airmon Sterilization Kiosk.
Both winners showcased the importance of delivering sustainable, affordable cleaning in environments that host germs due to customer and employee contact.
With the Fresh Blender kiosk, customers can place a cup into the dispenser and a robotic arm makes the smoothie within the cup, eliminating the need for a separate pitcher. Customers can customize the flavors of the smoothie to make it their own.
The kiosk includes automated sanitation technology, which performs the task automatically every day in under 30 minutes. With this technology, the kiosk saves operators more than 200 labor hours per year.
The Airmon Sterilization Kiosk helps eliminate any germs or viruses luring on touchscreens with a UV-C Light and HEPA filtration technology. This "effectively neutralizes pathogens by disrupting their DNA/RNA, rendering them inactive," according to the nomination. The HEPA filters in turn captures any airborne germs.
The kiosk system also provides a contactless experience through gesture recognition and AI tools to detect user interaction and activate sterilization.
Responsible Innovation Award
Airmon Inc. is a two-time winner this year as its Sterilization Kiosk claimed first place for the Responsible Innovation Award, as it aims to create a safe, contactless experience for users. The runner up is the LG Gen 2 Self-Ordering Kiosk from LG Electronics USA/
This kiosk is built with accessibility, sustainability and inclusivity in mind. It is designed to accommodate wheelchair users with height adjustments, while also integrating with JAWS screen reader, tactile AudiNav keypads, SoundHound AI voice commands and more.
It is sustainable due to its modular design, as operators can add components easily without having to purchase a new machine.
"What makes the Gen 2 kiosks unique in the marketplace is their intentional and collaborative design process. From day one, LG worked hand-in-hand with Tech for All and directly involved people with disabilities in the design and testing process. Every round of feedback shaped the kiosks into what they are today; tools that feel natural, intuitive, and genuinely empowering to use," the nomination stated.
Influencer of the Year
This award honors individuals who make a big impact in the kiosk and automated retail industries. The first place winner is Rebecca Kahn, senior director of master franchising operations at North America at Gong cha. Second place went to Benjamin Wheeler, director of business development at T-ROC.
"Over the past two and a half years, Rebecca has been instrumental in advancing Gong cha's digital transformation. She has championed the integration of self-order kiosks and other automated retail solutions that improve customer experience, streamline operations, and create scalable models for franchisees. Under her leadership, Gong cha has accelerated adoption of kiosk ordering across key North American markets, positioning the brand as a leader in the next wave of automated retail," the nomination states.
Benjamin Wheeler's nomination notes his role as an industry leader and helping roll out the "first 300-plus Incredivend Skittlers Remix Digital Kiosks."
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