The Asahi reports (Japanese) the development of a new vending machine which doubles as an emergency call box. Members of the public can open a flap on the front of the machine and get access to a telephone which will connect them to the emergency services. Opening the flap will also set of a buzzer and a flashing lamp on top of the machine. The article also mentions a video camera in the unit which can record for 24 hours. Whether this operates continuously or only when the phone is activated is unclear. Coca Cola Central Japan will put the first unit in a sports park in Toyohashi City. If it gets a good reception, then more will be set up elsewhere around the country. Google Street View may come to seem like a mild invasion of privacy compared with the possibility a nationwide network of vending machine spy cameras.
