Vending machines in Japan evolving with advanced tech

Jun 27, 2023

TOKYO - Vending machines in Japan are evolving.

Contactless vending machines drew attention during the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, and new types of vending machines using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and information communications are appearing one after another.

Some ideas that help achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and solve social issues are being incorporated into these ubiquitous machines as well.

Earlier this month, young people took cups of coffee from a machine that looked like a small coin locker in an office building in Minato ward, Tokyo.

Called the "AI cafe robot", the machine is operated by Tokyo-based start-up New Innovations.

The company operates the machines in greater Tokyo and other areas.

The machine, which offers seven different coffee beans, provides coffee that matches the buyer's tastes and preferences.

It is easy to use.

Through an app, customers answer questions about their tastes and preferences such as aroma and degree of bitterness, and then set the time for the coffee to be made.

Users tap the app to notify the machine when they are in front of it, and a case containing a freshly made cup of coffee is unlocked.

"It's convenient because you don't have to wait," said a 37-year-old company employee and frequent customer.

"I had a vague idea about my tastes before, but this machine has helped me learn more about them, which is interesting."

Kate iCon Box is a vending machine installed in a corner of a drugstore in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo.

The machine, which is developed by Kanebo Cosmetics, uses an AI-based system to recommend eyeshadows.

A camera installed in the upper part of the machine takes a photo of a user's face, and the machine analyses characteristics such as the face shape, location of eyelids and skin colour in one to two minutes.

The machine then recommends four optimal colours from as many as 350,000 combinations.

The user's face is displayed on a monitor reflecting the suggested colours.

"The machine recommends colours that I wouldn't have selected on my own, but the colours look easy to use," said a 35-year-old woman who purchased four eyeshadows, including one called white pearl.

"At ¥2,860 (S$28), the price is reasonable, so I will give them a try."

Asahi Soft Drinks in June will start installing vending machines that the company claims "eat carbon dioxide".

According to the company, the machines contain a CO2 absorbent and absorb CO2 from the intake air to keep drinks cool or warm.

Each machine can absorb an annual amount of CO2 equivalent to about 20 cedar trees, the company said.

About 30 such vending machines will be deployed in the Kanto and Kansai regions, and the company will examine the amount of CO2 absorbed, the absorption speed and other items.

Salad Stand is a vending machine installed at places such as the Keio Inokashira Line at Shibuya Station that has become popular for selling fresh salads at reasonable prices.

Tokyo-based start-up Kompeito operates the machines and plans to add a new function to help reduce food waste and loss around this summer.

AI will automatically reduce prices based on demand projections, expiration dates and other information to prevent products from going unsold.

"This function will help avoid wasting perishable products, thus contributing to achieving SDGs," a company official said.

Kyocera Communication Systems is using self-driving technology to develop a mobile vending machine that serves as an unmanned mobile shop selling foods and drinks.

The company has been experimenting with operations on public roads in Chiba and other places since last summer.

After legal restrictions on self-driving vehicles are eased, the company is considering deploying such vehicles to areas where the elderly live to give them greater opportunities to shop.

Taisho Pharmaceutical aims to roll out vending machines that dispense medicine.

For safety reasons, various regulations exist regarding the sale of medicine. The company's vending machine allows users to communicate remotely with pharmacists, recreating conditions similar to face-to-face consultations.

The company has been running an experiment since last summer and will work with the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry and other institutions to ease regulations based on data obtained from the trial.

The firm aims to enable people in sparsely populated areas with no pharmacy to purchase medicine more easily.

"While the number of newly installed vending machines is on a downward trend, products sold in vending machines were diversified due to the coronavirus pandemic, and needs and room for development are expanding," said Yasuhiro Yamazaki of the Distribution Economics Institute of Japan, who is familiar with issues related to vending machines.

"If advanced tech such as AI is well-incorporated, it might be possible to realise ideas that will help solve social issues." THE JAPAN NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

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