Horizon：Unexpected delights in vending machines
【明報專訊】These days, vending machines are diversifying. Have you seen the fresh orange juice vending machine, where oranges roll inside and are pressed to dispense a cup of juice? In addition to this, countless other machines around the world offer a variety of unexpected items which challenge our perceptions of what vending machines can provide.
Italy - Pasta vending machine
In Italy, pasta vending machines under the brand Pastitaly offer a variety of sauces to cater to different tastes. After selecting the type of pasta, such as spaghetti or fusilli (螺絲粉), the machines dispense freshly cooked pasta in three minutes. The chosen sauce, also dispensed from the machines, is added manually. As pasta is a key staple in Italian cuisine, these machines provide convenient access to authentic food around the clock for those on the go.
Canada - The Phono-Mat and the Biblio-Mat
In Toronto, the Phono-Mat stands out as the world's first vinyl (黑膠唱片) vending machine. After obtaining a token from the front desk of the record store, this blue retro-styled machine allows users to purchase random records. The inventor is also the creator of the Biblio-Mat, the world's first coin-operated book dispenser, which dispenses random books.
Japan - AI-equipped, Ramen, sashimi and insect snack vending machines
Japan boasts approximately 5 million vending machines, the highest density in the world. Among these innovative machines are drink vending machines featuring AI Sakura-san, a multilingual anime girl who recommends beverages based on customers' age and gender. Surprising choices also include machines dispensing horse and goat sashimi, as well as those offering insect snacks, promoting alternative food sources.
■Gear up
1. The pasta vending machines are totally automatic and provide completely cooked pasta dishes. (True/False)
2. Which of the following is NOT true about vending machines in Japan?
A. Some offer unusual snacks.
B. Some are equipped with AI.
C. They are uncommon and difficult to find.
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
diversify (v) 多元化
dispense (v) 發放
manually (adv) 手動
alternative (adj) 另類的
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[Smarties' Power English 第447期]
