# Tomato Robot Machines The Tomatan is a Bizarre Device That Feeds Athletes Tomatoes on the Go By Tristan Garnett | Published 2015-03-10 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tomato-machine References: [nbcnews](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/weird-news/tomatan-hands-free-tomato-machine-set-tokyo-marathon-debut-n308836) & [japantimes.co.jp](http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/02/20/national/google-glass-apple-watch-japan-offers-wearable-tomatoes/) Instead of drinking water or your favorite sports drink while out running, one company wants you to eat tomatoes instead. [Kagome](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-butter-alternatives), a Japanese manufacturer and distributor of tomato-based foods, recently unveiled the 'Tomatan,' a hands-free tomato machine. Tomatoes may sound like a bizarre food to eat while running, but the Japanese company says "tomatoes have lots of nutrition that combat fatigue." The 'Tomatan' itself is an interesting looking product. Designed for athletes, the [cartoon character-looking](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/naturesweet-paw-patrol-cherubs-to-go) tomato machine sits on top of athletes' back as they run, delivering them tomatoes. On the foot of the machine is a lever that moves the arms to catch a tomato from the shooter. The arms then rotate the fruit over the runner's head and places it in front of their mouth. The 'Tomtan' appears to be fun to use but at a weight of 18 pounds, it is not very practical. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 12% | Activity: 40% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Hands-free Eating:** The development of hands-free eating devices like the 'Tomatan' presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the food and beverage industry. - **Nutrition on the Go:** The focus on nutrition-rich foods for athletes on the go, like tomatoes, opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the health and wellness industry. - **Wearable Food Accessories:** The emergence of wearable food accessories such as the 'Tomatan' sparks disruptive innovation opportunities in the fashion and accessories industry for athletes. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food and Beverage:** The 'Tomatan' tomato machine showcases disruptive innovation opportunities in the food and beverage industry, specifically in the development of unique eating devices. - **Health and Wellness:** The utilization of nutrition-rich foods like tomatoes for athletes highlights disruptive innovation opportunities within the health and wellness industry. - **Fashion and Accessories:** The introduction of wearable food accessories such as the 'Tomatan' presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the fashion and accessories industry for athletes seeking unique gadgets. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Freeze-Dried Cherry Tomatoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freeze-dried-cherry-tomatoes.md) - [Playful Tomato Athletes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-games-campaign.md) - [AI-Designed Harvesting Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/harvesting-robot.md) - [Convenient Cherry Tomato Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/special-edition-cherry-tomato.md) - [Crispy Tomato-Based Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tomato-chips.md) - [Runner-Targeted Ketchup Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/run-on-heinz.md) - [Savory Tomato Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tomatini.md) - [Flavor-Packed Tomato Varieties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rubi.md) - [Tomato-Infused Serums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tomato-tonic.md)