From Tradition to Trend:  NYP's Collaborative Journey with Heng Foh Tong

in Revolutionising Herbal Drinks

Traditional herbal drinks have always been popular among older individuals and are usually considered an acquired taste. Heng Foh Tong, a traditional Chinese Medicine Hall that has been around since 1957, had the visionary idea of pushing the boundaries of tradition in herbal drinks. They envisioned tapping into the growing trend of bubble teas in the market and the increasing interest in health focused plant-based teas they set out to captivate to the younger generation by offering ready-to-drink herbal beverages that are shelf-stable, healthy, lower in sugar, and convenient.

To make this vision a reality, Heng Foh Tong sought the assistance of Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) and collaborated with various schools to pioneer this innovative approach in traditional herbal drinks. The School of Business Management (SBM) conducted a market study to strategically position the herbal drink as a daily consumption choice for millennials. The School of Design and Media (SDM), on the other hand, gave the drink a new and trendy image seamlessly incorporating elements of the existing label design to maintain connection with the product’s heritage while presenting it as a ‘modern lifestyle choice’ to resonate with the younger generation and working adults.

With the expertise of the School of Applied Science (SAS) in product formulation, shelf-life study, and food manufacturing, the project team helped Heng Foh Tong optimise their product, making it lower in sugar, enhancing processes to provide longer shelf life, and preparing it for mass production.

Mr. Lee, owner for Heng Foh Tong, determined to extend their customer base beyond the small and quiet heartlands, approached NYP once more to take on a revolutionary project that would change the customer experience in purchasing traditional herbal drinks.  Collaborating with SDM, Heng Foh Tong successfully modernised the sale of Traditional Chinese Herbal Drink, introducing a pioneering concept.

Presenting...

The first Interactive Vending Machine Kiosk

for authentic Traditional Chinese Herbal Drinks in Singapore!

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the link between emotions and physical health operates in a dynamic loop, where emotional well-being significantly influences the body's health, and vice versa.  This interplay is further nuanced by environmental factors, such as weather conditions (hot, cold, dry, etc.) which serve as determinants for the flow of energy.

Led by Tommy Quek and Madhan S/O Kaliappan, the project team in the SDM developed a futuristic vending machine that provides a human-like shopping experience.

It offers animated personnel recommendation based on age, emotion and current weather.  The machine caters to specific contexts, suggesting herbal drink for hazy weather or considering exam seasons in tertiary institutions.  The animated personnel dynamically interact with customers, following their movements, and the vending machine incorporates crowd monitoring for gaming options.

This innovation significantly enhances the customer experience, making traditional Chinese herbal products more accessible and convenient. The interactive features not only attract a diverse customer base, particularly the younger demographic but also emphasise the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Aligning with Heng Foh Tong's mission, this project promotes the insight of natural enhancement, ensuring its availability to a broader audience.

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