Focus Taiwan
Date: 02/21/2020
By: Huang Li-yun and Elizabeth Hsu

Taipei, Feb. 21 (CNA) A Taiwan-based startup has developed face mask vending machines that could eventually be used to distribute the product under a government rationing scheme aimed at ensuring everyone has access to masks amid the novel coronavirus scare.

Yallvend Co., founded in January 2019, has installed a smart vending machine at the Ningxia Night Market and another at the Taiwan Tech Arena office at Taipei Arena to demonstrate the technology, developed with other startups Biilabs, Drippp and AuthMe.

During the demonstration, 2,000 general-use masks will be distributed for free over a week's time through the machines.

But the company stressed that the masks only block dust and are not the surgical masks capable of combating the coronavirus that are currently being rationed.    [FULL  STORY]