Universal Design in Vending Machines for Everyone's Ease of Use
Approximately 90% of DyDo DRINCO's sales are derived from vending machines, so these units are important "retail outlets" for us. Because we want every single person to be able to use our vending machines, we have applied the principles of universal design to our vending machines. In particular, these models are playing an important role in airports, hotels, and other locations which are frequented by many people.
What is Universal Design?
Universal Design is often confused with barrier-free design. What is the difference? Barrier-free design is an approach that attempts to eliminate obstacles that prevent more comfortable access throughout society. The approach of universal design is to create an environment so that it can be accessed easily by all people regardless of their age, gender, or other characteristics. As a design principle it aims to build a world without barriers from the outset.
This approach was expounded by Dr. Ronald Mace, who advocated the importance of creating things from the perspective of the user rather than prioritizing the ideas of the creator, as was prevalent in the 1980s. Mace promoted seven principles of universal design, which have become the basis for our manufacturing today.
- The Seven Principles of Universal Design
- 1. Equitable Use (can be used by anyone)
- 2. Flexibility in Use (e.g. easy for right- or left-handed use)
- 3. Simple and Intuitive Use (design is easy to understand)
- 4. Perceptible Information (needed information can be understood quickly)
- 5. Tolerance for Error (safe and reliable to use, minimizes hazards even with unintentional incorrect use)
- 6. Low Physical Effort (can be used with little effort and a minimum of fatigue)
- 7. Size and Space for Approach and Use (adequate size and space for comfortable use, regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility)
Vending Machines for Inbound Tourists as a Form of Hospitality
In response to a rapid rise in the number of inbound tourists in recent years, DyDo DRINCO has introduced vending machines that feature multilingual support for purchasing products. A sticker posted on the machine and voice guidance explain how to buy a drink in Chinese, Korean, English, and Japanese. Also, vending machines with a roulette feature where customers have the chance to win a free drink is another form of hospitality, using four lucky "8s," a number associated with good fortune in China, for a winning "8888." This represents a departure from our standard models where the winning number is four "7s."
Disaster aid agreement with local governments
DyDo DRINCO has signed a disaster aid agreement with many local governments to donate to them for free the beverages it has in its distribution bases and disaster aid vending machines in the event of a large-scale disaster. Through this agreement, the company contributes to reducing the local governments’ costs of stockpiling drinking water to prepare for large-scale disasters.
* This donation is limited to the local governments that have signed the Agreement to Donate Beverages in the Event of a Disaster with DyDo DRINCO.
Fundraising via Vending Machines
Working together with the location owners of our vending machines, we set up what we call "community action vending machines" and contribute a portion of profits taken by vending machines to raise funds.
We are deploying vending machines that raise funds for different charitable purposes, such as conserving woodlands around Japan, protecting coral reefs, and supporting the restoration of the fishing industry devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Collected funds are utilized in activities run by various associations and organizations.
Donating Products to Food Banks
DyDo DRINCO donates food items to private organizations that give them away to families and facilities in need. Such food items are fine in terms of quality but cannot be sold for various other reasons. We will continue to contribute to society through such food donations, an effort that is also connected to effective utilization of food resources.
Emergency Jelly Provisions Project
At Tarami, we have official agreements with local governments to supply fruit dessert jelly products as emergency provisions free of charge in the event of a disaster. At such time, according to a contingency plan. We are positioned to swiftly supply food rations to affected zones. Fruit jellies can be stored at room temperature and can be eaten as is upon opening, so they are suitable as an emergency provision. As a further benefit, the sweet taste of fruit jellies can be thought to offer a reassuring calm to people. We apply unique technologies to extend the recommended use-by date for these products and are also strengthening its product supply system in other ways for times of emergency.
Tarami Activities in Support of Child Care Institutions
Believing that we must first contribute to the local community, Tarami supplies jelly products to children at 11 child care institutions throughout Nagasaki Prefecture. We have been providing products on a monthly basis since December 2008, and children have sent us heartwarming thank-you letters in response. We plan to continue this program with the hopes of continuing to put smiles on children’s faces.
