Questions that are fun to know

Q: Why is there braille on the buttons of drive-thru ATMs?

Note: this is less relevant for Singapore since we don't have drive-thru ATMs here, but they are pretty common in other countries.

ATMs on the streets may have braille to assist the visually handicapped in accessing the ATMs. However, blinds can't drive! (at least i hope they don't attempt to drive...) So this begs the question, why do they have braille on the buttons in these drive-thru ATMs?

This question is actually related to "Why do 7-Elevens have locks on their doors when they are open 24hrs?" as posted here.










A: Although it doesn't make sense to have braille on drive-thru ATMs, one cannot expect the buttons-manufacturers to have a different mold, a different production process to create braille-free buttons for drive thru ATMs. It is simply not economical to have two different production, especially since the large majority of ATMs are on the streets.

And although a 7-Eleven may never lock its doors, most people do lock their doors. its not economical for door manufacturers to produce doors without locks. Perhaps it could be cheaper by a little if 7-Eleven outsource a specialised door manufacturer just to create a lock-free door (hence saving on the costs of the lock) but my guess is that the costs won't be significantly lower enough to justify the absence of a lock for once-in-a-blue-moon-situation like, err, hmm.....
can't really think of any good reason, save for rioting? earthquakes?

oh well.


the same reasoning can be applied to why there are heaters for some cars models, even in tropical areas, and air-cons for cars in all-year-cold regions.