Local firm Simple Brands supplies the machines that will be rolled out to up to 100 supermarket locations if the trials are successful.

Pennsylvania is said to have some of the strictest alcohol laws in the US and wine was previously only sold in state-owned shops.

PLCB chairman Patrick Stapleton said the kiosks were "a way to give customers an added level of convenience in today's busy society".

The consumer inserts a driving licence into the machine where the age information on the barcode is processed and the photograph matched with a video image of the buyer.

A PLCB employee will monitor the machines from a remote location to ensure that the video of the purchaser matches the ID.

Built-in breathalyser
There is also a built-in breathalyser that requires no contact with the machine and can provide a reading in less than 20 seconds.

If the consumer is found to be over the specified limit then he or she is barred from making a purchase.

"While the technology is promising and we're eager to introduce the kiosks across the state, we first need to complete stringent tests during this pilot phase in a controlled environment to make sure it's safe and secure," said Stapleton.

"It will also give us the opportunity to hear consumer feedback in an effort to make the kiosks the most positive experience possible."

The BBC cites the chief executive of Simple Brands, James Lesser, who said the appeal of the machines was "obvious".

"You can now buy iPods and hi-tech gadgets in vending machines at airports. Self-service has just really become more popular," he said.

Simple Brands was the only applicant in an open bidding process to create the machines that PLCB ran in 2008.