Vending machine dispenses free drinks during disasters

Fuji Electric Retail Systems is selling a new type of disaster-friendly vending machine in Japan that can dispense free beverages in an emergency (free Pocari Sweat, you say?). No, the machines aren't wirelessly connected up to some central control station that can switch them into disaster mode (though that wouldn't be a bad idea), rather the machines come with a built-in backup battery and can be preset to automatically give out free drinks to people when the power is out. Hard to imagine an American vending machine company doing the same thing, especially since it'd only be a matter of time until people figured out they could get a free Pepsi just by cutting power to the machine

[Ben Garmisa @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Free Suntory BOSS would be nice. Who cares about Pocari Sweat?

[OddManOut @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Nothin like free Kirin Coffee or free iced Green tea to help you forget an earthquake. Dare I hope this applies to the beer/wine enabled machines too...you know...for medicinal purposes...

[Anonymous Peon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

You could actually make this fairly "America-proof" by running a small current to ground, then monitoring for the drain somehow. If the power is truly "out," the ground lead will still be tied to building ground, while if some jackass unplugs the machine or severs the cord, the electrical characteristics would change, and no free drinks. (If building ground is severed, chances are the building is going to be in rather bad shape, and the machine damaged enough to make it worth looting with a crowbar, anyway.)

Downside is that it could throw off GFCIs, now commonly required for outdoor wiring.

[Robert Preseau @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Whatever happened to just pounding the machine in the right spot? ...and what good is looting during a disaster if everything is just given away?

Wreaking havoc is just too easy these days.

[CRUZER45 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Hmm free pepsi ... not bad i'll tell my company to order 5 and keep them fully stacked ... :: he he :-) :: from now on i'll be carrying a pair of wire snippers in my desk.

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Perhaps the stuff goes bad when there is no refrigeration (assuming the backup battery can't handle refrigeration). Thus, giving it away is simply avoiding throwing it away. Just a thought.

[jayson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

#5, It's just water... I don't think it goes bad when the power goes out.

[NBC @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

true true pocari sweat hot taste bad :)

[B @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

So if I unplug the machine, it gives me free drinks? sweet.