Nissin Cup Noodles Teams With Social Media Blog On Vending Machine Using Instagram As Currency

Nissin Cup Noodles has teamed with FOODBEAST, a social media food blog targeted at young people, to develop and install FOODBEAST #Dream Machines that allow consumers to win a free prize by posting a photo on Instagram.

The machines accept Instagram posts as currency and distribute free prizes in real time after fans post with a specific hashtag on their public feed. Users win free prizes that automatically vend within moments of posting, including Cup Noodles, video games, gift vouchers, Cup Noodles merchandise and more.

The user presses a large button on the machine to get a unique hashtag.

They then post a photo with the machine on their Instagram page using the special hashtag, and tag @foodbeast and @originalcupnoodles. The machine then displays instructions to allow them to win a free prize.

The machines contain the following:

An Internet connected Raspberry Pi computer installed within that virtually controls all aspects of the machine.
A hashtag session authentication system verifies posting and the active user.
A vending machine motor API turns spirals and controls at-random vending.
A web server runs multiple sets of signals between Instagram API, vending machine API and the cloud.
Private VPN connectivity encrypts data across the open web.
A custom interface sits atop newly affixed instruction screens.

“What started as a joke in a campaign ideation session turned into a project combining web development, machine fabrication, wiring, networking,” said Rudy Chaney, CTO and co-founder of FOODBEAST.

“We’re hoping this machine allows for the democratization of the Instagram influencer experience.”

For Nissin Cup Noodles, the machine offers a way to engage with their target audience in a contemporary, digital-driven fashion.

“We’ve had a great partnership between Cup Noodles and FOODBEAST and are excited to launch the Dream Machines for our fans,” said Jaclyn Park, vice president of marketing at Nissin Foods USA. “We know how active our fans are on social media, and the Dream Machines are a surprising new way we can connect with our fans and thank them with fun prizes for including Cup Noodles in their social conversations.”

For more information visit https://nissinfoods.com/products/cup-noodles