Hong Kong Stories - Inventors in Hong Kong：More Than a Warm Bento

Wage earners in Hong Kong have little time for lunch, often spending a significant portion of it queuing for dine-in or takeaways. A local start-up has developed a bento vending machine with a patented hot-chain Internet-of-Things (IoT) system that keeps the food temperature above 60 degrees Celsius, aiming to provide warm bentos to workers.

Jason Chen, born in the 1980s, studied in snowy Hokkaido as an exchange student during his college years. There, he encountered his mentor, Professor Wata, whose recommendation helped him enter the master's program in electronic engineering at the University of Tokyo. Jason named his company after his mentor.

While studying in Japan, Jason had to be frugal and often bought discounted cold bentos from supermarkets before they closed. His modest dream for his company was to bring warmth to those who felt lonely. In 2008, Jason returned to Hong Kong and worked as a chip designer and electronic engineer at a semiconductor company, but he quit in 2019 to pursue his dream of starting a company before turning 40. The bento vending machine became his focus.

The machine, developed by his team, utilises hot-chain FoodTech technology by employing heating components and a thermal cycling system to maintain the temperature inside the airtight storage space at 65 degrees Celsius, ensuring the bentos stay above 60 degrees Celsius. Customers can immediately enjoy their meals without reheating.

Keeping the bentos warm and selling them through a vending machine is a complex process. Apart from maintaining the temperature inside the machine, the delivery mechanism must be carefully designed to avoid the bentos being knocked over or spilling.

This year, the vending machines have been introduced to construction sites, presenting new challenges. Serving sizes had to be increased, and Hong Kong-style dishes like steamed pork patties were added. The team also had to overcome obstacles such as the remote locations of construction sites and installing machines in narrow passageways.

Research and development go beyond experimentation and computations. Jason's vending machine aims to provide a sense of warmth through its bento, and his innovation story also adds a warm aspect to the field of scientific research.