Vending Machines Receive Sustainable Upgrades
Vending machines at the
University of Houston are currently
receiving sustainable upgrades �
with motion sensors and memory
technology reducing unnecessary
energy consumption.
The vending machines are receiving a
box which will detect motion
activity for the machine�s lights,
and a sensor for the internal
temperature. This way, the lights
will only be activated with use and
the compressor will not be running
constantly.
Paul Cantu, from Coca-Cola, took a
break from these installations to
explain how the new boxes work.
�For the first seven days it�s
actually learning the memory,� said
Cantu. �Right now, it doesn�t have
any memory. It picks up a pattern �
how many people are walking by, how
many drinks are being bought, [�]
it�s just learning.�
If the pattern changes on the
seventh day and there is no
activity, the system will record
additional activity for two more
days. At the end of 10 days, the
lights on the machine will adjust
for the pattern that it detects.
However, if activity alters
significantly again, it will
�re-learn�, so to speak, storing
this new information and continuing
to adapt.
Eventually, the data will be
sufficient enough that the lights
will remain off unless a person
physically stands in front of the
machine.
The compressors, however, cycle off
and on according to the temperature
of the machine, which is measured by
a refrigeration sensor. This ensures
that the drinks stay cold.
�It�s definitely worth it.� said
Cantu. �Often times, these
compressors never shut off. But this
forces them to turn off.�
According to Cantu, 171 vending
machines across campus will receive
these upgrades. Green stickers are
placed on each of the machines which
read, �Coca Cola has equipped this
unit with a unique energy management
system that keeps drinks cold and
reduces the energy consumption
used.�
Cantu was pleasantly surprised at
the level of student interest in
this green upgrade. �I�ve been
really surprised at the students
that are here. They actually ask
questions. They�ll stop � �Hey, what
are you doing? What�s that sticker
up there? Are y�all going green with
that?� It�s really interesting to
them.�
UH keeps finding ways to be greener,
adding sustainable measures such as
these to serve a vital role in
protecting our environment.
For more information about green
initiatives at the University of
Houston, visit
www.uh.edu/green.
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