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Unilever unveiled a world first at the Cannes Lions festival with the launch of an ice cream vending machine that is activated by smiles.

The 'Share Happy' machine, which has been dubbed 'an ice truck for the digital age', is part of Unilever's new ice cream mission to encourage people to share life's small moments of happiness.

The machine has an 'attractor screen' that uses augmented reality to compel passers by to turn towards it, and then prompts them to smile by showing their faces with, for example, moustaches or polar bear ears.

A 'smile-o-meter' measures the size of the grin 15 times a second, while facial recognition technology gauges the person's age, gender and emotion. Only those with smiles deemed big enough - 'That's it!' pops up on the screen - will receive a free cream, which can be selected using a touch screen on the machine. Photos of successful candidates are taken and, with their permission, posted onto Facebook.

Ian Maskell, global brand development director, said: 'We're really excited about the possibility this new technology holds for Unilever. It offers a revolutionary new way for consumers to buy ice cream and, simultaneously, a revolutionary brand experience.'

Unilever is the world's biggest ice cream manufacturer, with brands such as Wall's, Ben & Jerry's and Breyers in its portfolio. Each has the same heart shaped brand logo.

The Facebook page says: 'You know the brand as Frigo, Langnese, Eskimo, Algida, Wall's, Ola etc, depending on where you come from. In short: The heart brand is the world's favourite ice cream.'

The 'Share Happy' machine, which has been developed by SapientNitro, will be placed in high profile shopping centres over the next 18 months. But the ice creams will no longer be free.

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