Japanese balancing device keeps food steady on delivery bikes

Demaeki keeps food in balance on delivery bikes.

Food delivery is a serious business in Japan and if the delivery boy isn’t skilled in speeding round busy streets full of aggressive samurai, he could easily spill all the soup he’s carrying on his bike.

How to solve such an unpleasant situation? The device on the picture isn’t a torturing machine but a special contraption for keeping food steady in balance during the ride.

The device, called demaeki (出前機), is mounted on the back of the bike and allows that bowls and boxes of food on the shelf stay in horizontal position regardless of how much the vehicle tilts. This relatively simple and effective solution that is quite common in Japan, is available in several versions, depending on the delivery needs.

Manufacturers who specialize in production and improvement of these devices, offer demaeki at a cost of about ¥40.000 ($450, 300 EUR) and up.

Demaeki attached to the back of a delivery vehicle. (Photo source: http://www.teito-co.com/cn4/cn16/cn17/pg124.html)

Photo source: http://www.motor-parts.jp/products/demae.html

Different types of demaeki. (Photo source: http://www.tctv.ne.jp/kk6348/demaeki.htm)

Photo source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/01/amazing-japanes/