Vendfun launches compact Nano-S hotel self-check-in kiosk

Vendfun has launched the Nano-S self check-in kiosk for hotels, the Malaysian company's fifth-generation hospitality kiosk.

The new unit is aimed at independent, boutique and lower-rated hotels that want a smaller self-service check-in option. It combines a receipt printer, passport and ID scanner, payment terminal and card dispenser in one detachable system.

The payment terminal supports deposit pre-authorisation, allowing hotels to take security deposits during check-in without staff handling the process manually. Hotels can also run the kiosk without printed receipts, with e-receipts sent to guests by email.

Each Nano-S unit also includes Vendfun's membership system. Guests are enrolled in the hotel's loyalty programme during check-in, with rewards based on one free night after 10 nights stayed within a year.

Benny Wee, Chief Executive Officer of Vendfun, said the product reflects the company's approach to hotel self-service.

"The Nano-S represents everything we believe self-service hospitality technology should be - compact, intuitive, and genuinely useful to both guests and operators. By pairing the compact kiosk with a built-in loyalty engine, we're giving hoteliers a way to modernize check-in and seamlessly build guest relationships at the same time, without added cost or complexity," Wee said.

Vendfun's in-house passport and ID card scanner is designed to read identity documents from multiple countries and uses the company's own document learning system.

"Our new in-house, proprietary 2-in-1 passport and ID card scanner is built to read a wide range of identity documents from around the world. That is made possible by our own ID-card learning capability, so the system keeps getting smarter and works wherever our hotel partners operate," Wee said.

An HD camera can be added for facial verification and video concierge use. In Singapore, it is included as standard because of the digital identity checks required under the country's E-Visitor Authentication Ready programme. In other markets, it remains optional.

Regional reach

Singapore is one of several countries where Vendfun has already deployed its hospitality products, alongside Indonesia, Thailand, Australia and the United States. Since entering the hospitality sector in 2020, the company has installed more than 150 kiosks across 12 Malaysian states.

The launch reflects a push towards smaller hardware for hotel lobbies where space is limited. Wee pointed to Singapore as a market where compact units may appeal to operators facing high property costs and constrained reception areas.

"The Nano-S has our smallest footprint yet, so it fits neatly onto even a compact countertop. That matters in markets like Singapore, where lobby space comes at a premium," Wee said.

In Singapore, Vendfun is recognised as an EVA-Ready vendor under the Singapore Tourism Board's E-Visitor Authentication Ready Programme. This means the Nano-S can be used for digital check-in processes that automatically verify the stay validity of international visitors.

Hotel focus

Vendfun is targeting the Nano-S at smaller hotel operators rather than large chains, which are often associated with extensive property management systems and larger automation budgets. This places the product in a market where front-desk staffing pressures and limited floor space can make compact self-service systems more attractive.

Vendfun markets its hotel products directly in Malaysia and has expanded into other regional markets through earlier deployments. Its installed base now spans Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia and the United States, indicating a broader effort to build a presence beyond its home market.

The Nano-S combines check-in, identity verification, payment handling and guest enrolment in a single device, while its detachable design allows hotels to configure the unit around available counter space. Vendfun has deployed more than 150 kiosks across 12 Malaysian states, as well as in Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.