Numerous restaurants in American cities have already closed their doors as twilight descends. Typically, the only options available to you if you are currently famished are microwave meals or fast food. This life pain point led Andy Lin, founder of Yo-Kai Express, to start a business and design a smart vending machine capable of delivering high-quality hot cuisine at any time and from any location.
Lin, who worked for a leading technology company during his early career and lived in Silicon Valley for an extended duration, frequently conducted meetings with Asia clients late at night in the US. He was so hungry that he searched the entire Internet one early morning, but he was unable to find a venue that served a steaming bowl of Asian cuisine. Yo-Kai was established as a result of this experience.
Lin initially drew inspiration from Japan's pioneering ramen dispensing machines; however, he ultimately determined that the user experience was inadequate. He utilized his technological proficiency to reengineer the mechanism and process, resulting in the creation of a smart heated food vending machine that is "delectable, sanitary, and prepared for consumption."
Expand product lines and explore instant food blue ocean
Yo-Kai's first product is a ramen machine that uses high-pressure heating and quick cooking technologies to deliver restaurant-quality dishes. All components, including the broth, noodles, and seasonings, are crafted from premium ingredients that are rapidly frozen and pre-prepared in a central kitchen to guarantee uniform quality.
Lin recalled that in his pursuit of the ideal noodle flavor, he once produced 3,000kg of noodles in a single day, only to meticulously control the variance of a few seconds. Yo-Kai's product selection now includes Korean, Thai, xiaolongbao, chicken noodle soup, and several other items, and has collaborated with companies such as Ippudo, MoonMoonFood, Chimei, and Wowprime to deliver joint products.
Yo-Kai's smart vending machines are capable of both cognitive processes and food preparation. Sophisticated tasks, such as image recognition, virtual assistance, and sensor monitoring, are facilitated by the industrial computer module, which was developed in partnership with Qualcomm and Pegatron. The device is equipped with more than 100 integrated sensors that accurately measure parameters such as pressure, temperature, and humidity, thereby guaranteeing consistent food preparation.
What is even more remarkable is that Yo-Kai utilizes edge AI processors to virtualize customer service and operation tutorials, which are then managed in real time on the spot. Users can obtain assistance without the need to make a phone call or connect to the cloud, which will further enhance the security and convenience of their information.
Yo-Kai was the first-place winner of the Qualcomm QITC AI competition in 2024 and was chosen by Nvidia to participate in the Inception Program in 2025. It intends to become the Amazon of the catering industry by integrating upstream and downstream using AI systems.
Alongside hot meals, Yo-Kai has lately diversified into cold beverages with better gross profit margins and has adopted an innovative approach by introducing a smart pearl milk tea machine. This is the sole vending machine globally capable of autonomously boiling tapioca pearls. It addresses the challenge of cold chain logistics for conventional tea beverages. The items can be maintained at ambient temperature, facilitating the improvement of delivery networks.
Lin forecast that the tea beverage market in Europe and the US will reach US$40 billion by 2030, with an annual compound growth rate of 13%. Although vending machines have the potential for significant future expansion, their current prevalence is negligible. He intends to employ this as a secondary growth generator for Yo-Kai revenue.
Yo-Kai has acquired operational experience and data over the past eight years by employing a direct sales model. The global franchise plan will be officially promoted beginning in 2025. For instance, each machine in the US is priced at a mere US$2,000-2,500. In order to operate a smart restaurant, the franchisee is only required to be responsible for replenishing stocks and cleaning, rather than preparing and opening the store. Lin disclosed that the global franchise is making progress ahead of schedule. Nearly 500 smart pearl milk tea machines have been signed in the first four months, and the company has expanded to the US, Japan, the UK, Singapore, Thailand, the Netherlands, and France, among other countries.
TTA facilitates international connections, enabling Yo-Kai to expand globally
The first smart food vending machine is being deployed worldwide. During the business process, Lin regularly returned to Taiwan to interact with various Taiwanese companies. He noted that in recent years, Taiwan's start-ups have increasingly ventured beyond the local domain, significantly enhancing their international presence. Multiple teams have actively established facilities in Singapore, Japan, and other regions to expand their global outlook. Lin contends that TTA (Taiwan Tech Arena) has played a crucial part in this transformation. Yo-Kai demonstrates exceptional industry engagement by utilizing global resources through TTA, connecting Taiwan with foreign assets, and participating in CES exhibitions on many occasions.
Beginning with the resolution of the minor issue of "lack of hot food during late hours," Yo-Kai has gradually developed an advanced vending machine system that combines food, technology, and supply chain logistics. Lin revolutionizes the catering sector with technology innovation and reimagines ready-to-eat meals with uniqueness and execution. In the future, we may be able to have a cup of hot ramen soup from Yo-Kai in a variety of locations throughout the world, including airports, hospitals, and campuses, while feeling the comforting flavor offered by technology.
Article edited by Jack Wu
