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Taiwan vending machine dispenses surgical masks during coronavirus outbreak

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February 21, 2020

Yallvend, a Taipei-based vending solutions developer, has introduced a mask vending machine for trial in Taipei to address the coronavirus outbreak, according to a report in Digitimes, which covers technology in Taiwan.

Taiwan has begun rationing surgical masks, which are only available at designated pharmacies. Customers can buy two surgical masks per week and must show their National Health Insurance card.

The Yallvend machine matches the buyer's ID card to their faces.

CEO Duncan Huang said the machine was developed on an experimental basis for possible use in hospitals.