ATLAS incorporates Braille into OOH vending machines which double up as ad spaces

The Malaysian Association for the Blind has tied up with F&B vending operator ATLAS Vending to roll out a pilot programme for vending machines specially equipped with additional assistive features to enable accessibility for visually-impaired customers. ATLAS Vending has rolled out 11 vending machines around LRT stations and the Brickfields area. The locations were chosen in consultation with the Malaysian Association for the Blind, with the identified locations being places where the visually-impaired travel for work or social purposes. 

For ease of access, the machines have been equipped with Braille plates, indicator lights and motion-sensor triggered audio instructions. The vending machines' assistive features were designed and tested in collaboration with the organisation's access team, which specialise in evaluating accessibility functions for the visually impaired. With this, ATLAS Vending said it is able to ensure that the special features are well-suited to the needs of visually-impaired consumers. Though catered to the visually-impaired, the vending machines are said to retain typical features for the use of other consumers. Additionally, the vending machines will carry bottled and canned drinks. It will also have audio-guided instructions for purchasing drinks, with cash and cashless payment options included. 

According to ATLAS Vending, these machines are the first Braille-enabled vending machines in the country. It is also in line with ATLAS Vending’s aim to reduce barriers facing the visually-impaired community, such as the barriers that impede the visually-impaired customers' access to vending machines serving refreshments in public spaces. The vending machine company aims to progressively increase accessibility for members of the community with special needs, enabling them to gain access and improving the purchase experience. A+M has reached out to ATLAS Vending for additional information regarding the collaboration. 

As part of the collaboration, ATLAS Vending is making a RM10,000 donation to the Malaysian Association for the Blind's COVID-19 campaign fund that aims to help the blind community, especially those who have lost their income due to the pandemic following implementation of the MCO.

George Thomas, CEO of the Malaysian Association for the Blind, said the organisation aims to educate and create equal opportunities for visually-impaired persons, to enable these individuals to enjoy the same quality of life as the sighted.  "People do not realise that without such technology designed for our visually-impaired members, they face barriers in performing seemingly simple tasks that sighted persons may not give a second thought to, like purchasing a can of drink from a vending machine without assistance," explained Thomas. 

Head of marketing and ancillary business, Amy Gan, said the initiative to improve inclusivity by progressively increasing accessibility using technology is another milestone for the company. From conceptualisation to prototype testing and to the actual rollout, the Malaysian Association for the Blind has fathered feedback and suggestion at each step.

"Details such as the spoken speed of the audio instructions and colours of the indicator lights were crucial guidance for us, helping the ATLAS Vending technology team improve the physical design and software features," Gan said.

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