TOKYO -- The power shortage that followed the earthquake and tsunami in Japan last year left thousands of vending machines unable to vend the products they held. Japan's Sanden Corp., parent to SandenVendo America Inc., is bringing to a market a solution with a hand-cranked vending machine that works even when there is no external source of power.
The machine, purpose-built to ensure access to beverages during sustained power outages, works like a hand-cranked radio or flashlight. The patron simply turns a handle on the machine about 70 times to generate the power to accept payment and enable the machine to release up to seven products. | SEE DEMONSTRATION
However, keeping products hot or cold is not an option without power.
