Coca-Cola's new hydrogen-powered vending machine runs without a power outlet
What's the story
Coca-Cola has announced plans to launch the world's first hydrogen-powered vending machines at the upcoming World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
The innovative machines have been developed in collaboration with Fuji Electric, a Japanese electrical equipment company.
These unique vending machines don't have a conventional power outlet, but instead use replaceable hydrogen cartridges to generate electricity through a chemical reaction.
Working principle
How do these machines operate?
The hydrogen-powered vending machines are a bit larger owing to an additional generator module on their side.
This module contains the hydrogen cartridges and is where the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen takes place, producing power that is stored in a battery.
As Coca-Cola says, "A hydrogen cartridge is loaded in the generator and electricity is generated through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the air."
Installation details
Coca-Cola to install 58 vending machines at Expo
Coca-Cola plans to install 58 of these hydrogen-powered vending machines at the World Expo.
Each machine will have an informational display educating visitors about how hydrogen power works.
The company has not yet detailed how long these machines can run before their hydrogen cartridges need replacement.
However, it has admitted that infrastructure for supplying hydrogen and optimizing overall cost will be major challenges once the project is launched.
Public response
Social media reactions to Coca-Cola's hydrogen machines
The announcement of these vending machines has triggered mixed reactions on social media.
While some users were skeptical about Coca-Cola's "environment-friendly" initiative, others praised it.
One user wrote, "This sounds silly in the west, but Japan has vending machines all over the place and a large industry for restocking them."
They added that it makes sense to be able to put them anywhere and just have the restocking trucks also replace hydrogen flasks.