Coca-Cola, DoCoMo test wireless vending machines

By Ken Smith | Editor, SmartTravelNews.com

If it is technologically possible to conduct a commercial transaction between a mobile phone and a soft drink vending machine, when will it be possible to similarly buy an airline ticket or book a hotel room? If the advance publicity is to be believed, the answer is "not long, maybe even tomorrow."

Coca-Cola (Japan) Co., NTT DoCoMo and Itochu Corp. launched a trial this week of a consumer service using software that transforms a soft drink vending machine into "an information station and services terminal offering fun, excitement and entertainment."

Much of NTT DoCoMo's marketing in the past two years has focused on travel. While not yet the largest income sector, DoCoMo i-mode subscribers can reserve airline and concert tickets, check their bank balances or transfer money.

The new service under trial, named "Cmode", links a specially developed Coca-Cola vending machine equipped with a printer, sensor and speaker, and connected to i-mode, the Internet-enabling system launched by NTT DoCoMo. Cmode members can accumulate user points that can be exchanged for soft drinks or for one of a variety of Cmode services that are available through i-mode.

Last February, Nokia was demonstrating a prototype of a soft drink vending machine purchase from a mobile phone at the 3GSM Conference in Cannes, France. This demonstration used the Nokia 8890 phone's infra-red beam to a bottled water vending machine.

17-week trial

In Tokyo, to help gauge consumer response and to identify additional service options that might be introduced later, the three companies will conduct several months of trials beginning this week. During the 17-week trial period that ends December 31, a total of 25 Cmode-friendly vending machines will be installed at strategic locations around Tokyo. 

Cmode is a compound word combining the initial "C", which stands for Coca-Cola, culture and communication, and 'i-mode'. The decision to introduce the Cmode service follows the agreement reached in March by Coca-Cola, NTT DoCoMo, and Itochu to explore the possibilities presented by marrying DoCoMo's cell phone enabled Internet service with Coca-Cola vending machines. Itochu is providing marketing and financial support relating to technology and service content.

The vending machines to be linked to the new service are called "Cmode information terminal vending machines" or Cmo. In addition to being conventional vending machines, Cmo units have an embedded computer that exponentially increases their functionality and allows consumers to reap the rewards of a unique membership-based service. 

Savvy youth market

Initially, trial testing of the machines is at "The World of Coca-Cola Tokyo", "Shibuya 109" and the "Shibuya Miyamasuzaka DoCoMo Shop". Later, more Cmo vending machines will be available throughout metropolitan Tokyo, particularly around Shibuya where Japan's cell-phone toting, i-mode savvy youth gather in large numbers.

Consumers can obtain maps, coupons, and Coca-Cola campaign and event information by checking the Cmo's built-in LCD display. A hardcopy printout or audio playback is also available. The machines can also be used to disseminate information and messages to the public such as disaster information from local governments, and community information. 

To access members-only Cmode services, users must first register on the i-menu site "Coca-Cola Moments" provided by Coca-Cola (Japan) Company. The "Coca-Cola Moments" site opened last month.

Consumers wanting members-only services must pass their cell phone over the Cmo's sensor. This reads the product verification code plus the mobile phone user's verification code (like a digital bar code) issued by Club Cmode on the i-menu site "Coca-Cola Moments". Both codes are in the form of a 2-dimensional bar code. When buying concert tickets via i-mode for example, a Cmode member scans a cell phone across the Cmo sensor and the machine then prints a hard copy of the tickets. 

By pressing the 'C' button on the keypad, users can switch the function of a Cmo machine from that of a regular soft drink vending machine to Cmode, enabling consumers to take advantage of the various Cmode services. In addition to being able to purchase coupons, tickets and maps that are issued through a printer, users can facilitate a wide variety of information via the attached speakers and the display panel.