The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : A `smart cool' contraption indeed

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Friday, Mar 02, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

A `smart cool' contraption indeed

Staff Reporter

Electronic engineer designs an all-in-one device

HANDY INNOVATION: The `smart cool' machine on display in Hyderabad. Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

Hyderabad: Sip cool water, make a phone call and have your height and weight measured - all at one go. Howzzat! If health conscious, you can also have your blood pressure and pulse checked.

For people in a tearing hurry there is nothing like this smart cool automatic vending machine. It seems to anticipate all customer needs. One can also have tea, coffee and cool drinks served. All-in-ones are the cheapest way to get multi-functionality. And this one designed by Harish Verma is a class apart.

It is a standalone coin operated device. Insert a two-rupee coin and a disposable glass drops into the dispensing window and chilled water pours in. Lo and behold your weight and height are also glowing. This is not all. It also has a LED display and advertising scroll. Quite appropriately the machine is named Smart Cool.

This contraption drew lot of attention at the two-day awareness programme for minorities organised by the State Minorities Finance Corporation at Haj House.

Why so many functions crammed in one machine?

"I designed it primarily to be an income generating source for the poor," says Mr. Verma, an electronic engineer.

Three years ago when he started working on the machine, he designed only a water dispenser. Then he added the LED display. Later, two telephones were attached on either sides.

As an afterthought Mr. Verma added a tea dispensing machine, bottle cooler and BP checking appliance. Of course one has to pay separately for each service.

Costs Rs. 1 lakh

The machine costs a cool Rs. 1 lakh. But the investment can be recovered within six months, says Mr. Verma.

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