Yawn-Powered Coffee Vending Machine at Airport

If you’ve ever stepped off a long-haul flight and immediately craved a strong cup of coffee to shake off your exhaustion, you’re not alone. Travelers at Johannesburg’s Tambo International Airport faced just that challenge—until a novel solution appeared that traded caffeine for a simple human reflex.

The answer is yes—you can get free coffee by yawning. A Dutch coffee roaster installed a high-tech vending machine at the airport that uses facial recognition to detect yawns, and hands out a cup of coffee in exchange for every yawn it recognises.

How a Yawn Became Currency for Coffee

In July 2011, news broke via US blog Gawker that a Dutch coffee roaster called Drie Mollen sinds 1818 (Dewey Egberts in some translations) had installed an unusual coffee vending machine at Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. But this wasn’t your standard push-button coffee dispenser. Instead, it offered a free cup of coffee—but only if you yawned.

The Technology Behind the Yawn-Detection Machine

The vending machine was equipped with sophisticated facial recognition software capable of identifying approximately 200 different types of yawns. Rather than relying on button presses or money, the machine detected a yawn and interpreted it as a sign of tiredness—triggering the release of a freshly brewed cup of coffee. The more obvious the yawn, the better the chances of being rewarded.

While the exact make or model of the machine wasn’t disclosed, the concept relied entirely on computer vision to analyse facial movements in real time. This wasn’t about novelty alone—it was a clever way to link the universal symbol of fatigue (the yawn) with an equally universal solution: coffee.

Why This Campaign Worked as Coffee Marketing

This wasn’t just a gimmick. By installing the machine at an airport—a place notorious for jet lag, early flights, and sleep-deprived travellers—Drie Mollen sinds 1818 tapped directly into a real customer pain point. The campaign turned a simple biological response into an interaction that delivered both caffeine and a smile, aligning the brand with freshness, energy, and innovation. It also generated global buzz, including coverage on Gawker, turning a local stunt into international coffee culture conversation.

The machine reportedly used a camera and facial tracking algorithms trained to log and classify yawns. Although the details of the algorithm remain unpublished, the claim of 200 different yawn types underscores the depth of detection built into the system. The roast itself was said to be a standard offering from the Dutch brand, likely a medium or dark roast designed for a bold, awakening effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the coffee really come for free in exchange for a yawn?

Yes. The vending machine gave out a cup of coffee for every yawn it detected using its facial recognition software. No money, no buttons—just a yawn triggered the reward.

Where was this yawn-powered coffee machine located?

The machine was installed at Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was part of a marketing campaign by Dutch coffee roaster Drie Mollen sinds 1818.

How did the machine detect yawns?

The machine used facial recognition software capable of identifying around 200 different types of yawns. It analysed facial movements in real-time to determine if a traveller had yawned.

What kind of coffee did the machine dispense?

The article didn’t specify the exact coffee blend, but it was provided by the Dutch roaster Drie Mollen sinds 1818, likely a medium or dark roast intended to be energising.

Was this just a publicity stunt?

While certainly attention-grabbing, the machine also served a practical purpose by targeting tired travellers and associating the brand with a solution for sleepiness, making it both a stunt and strategic marketing.

Could this technology be used elsewhere?

Potentially. The concept demonstrates how facial recognition and biometric responses could be used in other public spaces to deliver personalised or reactive products beyond just coffee.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Tired Travellers

For travellers needing a wake-up just like those at Johannesburg airport, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for a bright, floral lift; their Kenya Little Tomato for juicy, high-energy acidity; or the Classic Blend for a balanced, bold start. All three offer the clarity and caffeine kick to shake off fatigue. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.