The Japanese company Earth Corp has developed vending machines that unlock during earthquakes, allowing people in need to take drinks, snacks, and other items from the machines for free.
When there are no earthquakes, the machines function as usual, and customers have to pay for the contents. Initially, Earth Corp has placed two “earthquake vending machines” in the coastal city of Ako, located in a region that could potentially be affected by an earthquake. Both machines are located near buildings that serve as shelters in the event of earthquakes in the city.
Inside the machines, there are 300 bottles of drinks and 150 units of emergency supplies, according to Earth Corp. The company hopes to install similar machines throughout Japan, a company representative told the Japanese newspaper Mainichi.