Author: Editoral Team

  • Ducks vending machine

    A special vending machine for feeding ducks appropriate food has been installed in a park after complaints the birds are becoming ill due to people feeding them bread.

    It follows a request from volunteers at Burrs Country Park in Bury, Greater Manchester, who have reminded people that bread is bad for ducks’ health and the quality of their water.

    The new solar-powered machine, supplied by the Feed The Ducks Initiative, offers £1 portions of healthier alternatives such as barley, oats, peas and chopped lettuce.

    Bury councillor Alan Quinn said the council was “delighted” to support the scheme, adding: “Don’t let it be said that we duck the big decisions.”

    “Everyone likes to feed the ducks and this initiative will help ensure that the birds are getting a healthy diet,” he said.

    The national Feed The Ducks Initiative has been working with local authorities across the country to install the vending machines in a push to reduce bread feeding.

    It has pledged to maintain and replenish them with necessary foods.

    Users can pay £1 to dispense a handful of duck food, with 90% of costs going towards the initiative’s running costs and the remainder going to the Friends of Burrs Country Park group to help fund events and park maintenance.

    A sign on the machine states: “Bread makes ducks ill and does not contain the right nutrition or calories that they need to grow or keep warm.

    “Rotting bread pollutes the water and cause nasty surface algae, which kills wildlife and gives ducks diseases.”

  • Hydrogen-Powered Vending Machine

    As of late 2024 and early 2025, Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc. and Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. have co-developed and unveiled a hydrogen-cartridge-powered vending machine, the world’s first of its kind. The machine debuted at the Osaka-Kansai Expo in April 2025. 

    The technology is currently a proof-of-concept and has not been announced for broad commercial sale. 

    How the machine works

    The hydrogen-powered vending machine operates independently of the electrical grid by generating its own power on-site through a fuel cell. 

    • The machine consists of two parts: a standard vending unit and an adjacent generator module.
    • Inside the generator, a replaceable hydrogen cartridge is loaded.
    • The system uses a fuel cell to create a chemical reaction between the hydrogen from the cartridge and oxygen from the air.
    • This reaction generates electricity, which is then stored in a battery to power the machine’s cooling, display, and vending functions. 

    Advantages and challenges

    Hydrogen-powered vending machines produce zero emissions and can operate off-grid using replaceable cartridges, offering placement flexibility and uninterrupted service during power outages. They utilize hydrogen as a high-density energy source and are estimated to be more energy-efficient than traditional models.

  • Free sports Vending Machines

    Redland City Council has rolled out an initiative that provides the community with free, on-demand access to sports equipment in two local parks to encourage increased participation in outdoor play.

    The Council has signed an agreement with SportsBox, equipped by Decathlon, to trial the company’s sports equipment lockers at Beth Boyd Park in Thorneside and Raby Esplanade Park in Ormiston until October 2026, at no cost to Council.

    The trial allows the community to hire a range of sports equipment such as footballs and basketballs for free from a self-serve locker.

    Users can download the SportsBox smartphone app and scan the QR code located on each locker to access the equipment on-demand at any time during park opening hours.

    Sport and Recreation Portfolio representative Councillor, Jason Colley said the trial was great news for anyone looking to spend more time outdoors.

    “The lockers have been installed at Beth Boyd Park and Raby Esplanade Park as these locations have courts and kick-about areas where the equipment can be used,” Cr Colley said.

    “Free equipment hire will help to encourage participation in outdoor play and create more opportunities for residents to exercise close to home.

    “Our research found 73% of Aussies say cost stops them from being active, so we’re proud to partner with Redland City Council and SportsBox to help locals get outside and play,” Mr Sekulich said.

    “This initiative perfectly captures what Decathlon is all about – breaking down cost barriers so everyone can enjoy the benefits of sport.”

    The Beth Boyd Park locker has equipment for basketball, volleyball and soccer, while the Raby Esplanade Park locker has equipment for soccer, table tennis and basketball.

    The trial will operate in the two locations until October 2026, with Council to then consider whether the lockers should be rolled out to other areas of the city.

  • KFC Vending Machine

    KFC has launched its first vending machine, a promotion for its limited-edition Sweet Tokyo Hot & Crispy chicken, in Sydney, Australia. The “world-first” machine was located in a secret spot in Spice Alley on Kensington Street and offered free samples of the new teriyaki-glazed chicken. The chicken is prepared fresh, with the machine being restocked at regular intervals from a local KFC restaurant. 

    • Promotion: The vending machine is part of a promotional campaign for the new Sweet Tokyo Hot & Crispy chicken.
    • Product: The machine dispenses samples of the limited-edition chicken, which is boneless, coated in a sweet and savory teriyaki glaze, and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
    • Location: The machine debuted on October 18, 2025, in a “secret location” in Sydney, later revealed to be in Spice Alley in Chippendale.
    • Supply: The chicken is prepared fresh and the machine is restocked from a local KFC restaurant to ensure freshness. 
  • Mystery Vending Machine

    Mystery Vending Machine

    A ‘mystery vending machine’ is spotted at a railway station, giving buyers the opportunity to take a punt on the items inside.

    #image_title

    According to an X user @bovineflu, the machine’s contents is made up of unclaimed packages from delivery lockers. It’s claimed each one has never been opened and therefore customers have no idea what they could be buying.

    Interesting unclaimed package:

    In 2015, Tokyo’s Narita International Airport auctioned off unclaimed items, including a parcel containing approximately $7,500 in cash. Auctions like these often include luxury goods such as designer handbags, with some items valued at tens of thousands of dollars.

    One interesting unclaimed case involved a collection of vintage film reels. These reels contained several rare films thought to be lost to time. Their discovery provided historians and film enthusiasts with invaluable insights into early cinema.

    In another more bizarre case, a suitcase full of live tropical fish was found unclaimed. The aquarium inside the suitcase was equipped with battery-operated aerators, suggesting someone had gone to considerable lengths to transport these creatures, possibly illegally.

    Finally, a set of very expensive, finely crafted artificial limbs was left unclaimed at an airport. The unique nature not only made them stand out but also presented a challenge on how to appropriately handle them.

    Source: Express.co.uk

  • Under Water Vending Machine

    Under Water Vending Machine

    As recent survey indicated that nearly three-quarters of adults don’t swim as much as they did when they were kids. Airheads is on a mission to bring the fun back to the pool and get adults swimming again!

    So this summer, the candy company is debuting a first-of-its-kind Underwater Vending Machine that dispenses Airheads while submerged in a pool. The vending machine is fully waterproof in depths of up to eight feet and comes equipped with an air propulsion system candy launcher. Instead of taking wet money the machine takes fun in exchange for Airheads bars.

    Source: PR Newswire

  • Baked Potatoes Vending Machine

    Baked Potatoes Vending Machine

    Baked Potatoes in Japan:

    The Japanese prefecture famous for baked potatoes is Hokkaido. Located at the northernmost part of Japan, Hokkaido is renowned for its agricultural produce, including potatoes. The region’s rich soil and climate conditions are particularly suitable for growing potatoes, making it a prime location for potato cultivation.

    In Hokkaido, you can find delicious baked potatoes in various places such as local markets, street vendors, and specialty shops. The city of Obihiro in Tokachi is especially known for its “Tokachi Bake Potato,” which features high-quality potatoes simply seasoned with salt and baked to perfection, emphasizing the natural flavor of the ingredients. This dish has become a beloved specialty, enjoyed by both locals and tourists visiting the area.


    Other Vending Machine Applications

  • Oyster Vending Machine

    Oyster Vending Machine

    Vending Machine can sell a range of sea food product such as Sushi , Squid and Whale Meat. Below is one in France that is selling Oyster!

    The self service shell seller was started by Brigitte and Tony Berthelot, who had been oyster farmers on the French island since 1987 and saw a market for late-night oysters.

    The oysters in the vending machine come in packages of two- to five-dozen at a cost of 6.90 euro ($8.06) per dozen, the same price as the Berthelot’s adjoining shop. Payment is as simple as inserting your credit card and opening the stainless steel locker.

    But oysters alone don’t cut it—the Berthelot’s do their best to ensure that anyone can get a full meal from the vending machine if they feel so inclined. In addition to oysters, the lockers offer commodities like paté and sea asparagus. Leave it to the French to go the extra culinary mile, even in the vending machines.

    General Concept

    An oyster vending machine is a unique type of vending machine designed to sell fresh oysters or other seafood items. These machines are equipped with special refrigeration technology to maintain the freshness and safety of the oysters. They might be found in locations close to production areas, such as markets, supermarkets, or regions where seafood like oysters are popular.

    Customers can select their desired oyster products through buttons or a touchscreen, and then pay using cash, credit card, or mobile payment options. To ensure food safety, operators need to regularly inspect and maintain these machines to keep the internal environment in line with standards for seafood storage temperature and hygiene conditions.

    It’s noteworthy that different regions may have specific laws and regulations regarding the sale of seafood, especially perishable items like oysters. Therefore, it’s important for operators to comply with local regulations. Additionally, given the particularity of oyster products, especially if intended for raw consumption, consumers should pay attention to the source and safety certification information to ensure they are safe for consumption.

    This concept showcases an innovative approach to selling seafood directly to consumers, offering convenience while requiring careful management to uphold quality and safety standards.

    About Oysters:

    Oysters are not only a delicacy but also play a crucial role in the ecosystem. One fascinating fact is that a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons (about 190 liters) of water per day. They improve water quality by filtering out particulates, nutrients, and algae from the water, which helps prevent algal blooms and promotes clearer water and healthier marine environments. This filtering ability makes oysters a keystone species in their ecosystems, significantly contributing to the health of estuaries and coastal waters.

    Source: CNBC


    Other Vending Machine Applications

  • POKÉMON VENDING MACHINE

    POKÉMON VENDING MACHINE

    Youtuber: UnlistedLeaf

    Most expensive Pokémon Cards:

    1. Pikachu Illustrator Card: This is one of the rarest Pokémon cards ever made. It was awarded as a prize in a Japanese CoroCoro Comic contest in 1998, with only a handful believed to be in existence. Its rarity makes it highly sought after by collectors.
    2. Base Set 1st Edition Holo Charizard: The original holographic Charizard card from the first Pokémon set released in the West (Base Set) has become iconic. The “Shadowless” version, in particular, due to its limited print run and unique characteristics, commands a very high price.
    3. Southern Islands Tropical Mega Battle Trophy Cards: These trophy cards were given to participants of special events. Their scarcity makes them extremely valuable and desirable among collectors.
    4. World Championships Cards: Starting in 2015, unique cards have been created for the Pokémon World Championships. These cards are not available for purchase and can only be obtained through participation in these exclusive events, making them highly collectible.
    5. Black Star Promo Kangaskhan #1: One of the earliest promotional cards released outside Japan, especially rare in mint condition, this card often fetches high prices due to its age and scarcity.
    6. Shining Pikachu and Shining Magikarp (from the Neo Revelation Set): Part of the Southern Islands series, these cards feature unique artwork and coloring, making them stand out and increasing their value among enthusiasts.
    7. Base Set 1st Edition Holo Mewtwo: As another iconic card from the original Base Set, the holographic Mewtwo has maintained its popularity and value over the years.

    Other Vending Machine Applications

  • Japan Pancake Vending Machine

    Japan Pancake Vending Machine

    Youtuber: Critical Eats Japan

    History of Dorayaki Pancake:

    The dorayaki is a popular Japanese confection that consists of two round, pancake-like patties filled with sweet red bean paste (anko). While it’s a beloved treat in Japan, its exact origins are subject to a bit of lore.

    One popular tale attributes the creation of dorayaki to the late 19th century. According to this story, a confectioner named Daimyō noticed a “dora” (a type of bell) shaped pancake in Tokyo, which inspired him to create what we now know as dorayaki. The name “dorayaki” itself comes from this inspiration: “dora” meaning “bell,” and “yaki” meaning “grilled” or “cooked.”

    Another account suggests that dorayaki first appeared around the 1930s in Tokyo. Regardless of its precise origins, dorayaki has become an integral part of traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi), evolving over time to include variations beyond the classic red bean filling, such as matcha and chestnut.


    Other Vending Machine Applications