It's Friday, and let's face it, who couldn't use a drink? And if that drink is mixed by machine, all the better, I say.
Before you think I may have already had one too many and am talking a load of nonsense, I present to you… The Inebriator.
Powered by an Arduino Mega 2560 microprocessor project board, the Inebriator is designed to make it almost effortless to mix up perfect cocktails in seconds without the hassle of having to look up ingredients or carefully measure out spirits and mixers.
Click on the photo below to check it out.
The machine comes with a Hitachi HD44780 compatible display to display drink information and buttons to navigate the menu. The Inebriator also boasts a stepper motor to drive the drink shelf, with acceleration and deceleration to allow high speed without spilling, and a DC motor to operate the optics.
Nice use of tapping into the power of the Arduino platform. The addition of the RFID sensor to cut off those that partake too much is clever. I have to say, the Siri-driven margarita maker looks a little less cludgey and more appealing to me.
I don't drink alcohol but from what I've seen, the interaction between the bartender and guest is important. The skill needed to make a "good drink" or even get create something new and unique is appreciated. Perfection isn't required.
This looks cool but it's dry and impersonal. It's the equivalent of an automated sushi chef.
Agreed it defeats the point, Nadine. Plus after watching the video, all the different stops for different alcohol flavors coupled with the LED colored flashing lights gave it a rather manufactured feel, not to mention, giving me a slight hang over. Too much like the equvialent of fast food for cocktails. I'll stick with a cocktail made with hands-on professional attention. Maybe we could pair this machine with the Popinator!
NadineJ, I agree. The machine is very impersonal and I don't really see the point behind it. The entertainment behind it is loss by the robo-tech appearance. I'm an advocate for robots that perform tasks too dangerous for humans but making drinks for social events just doesn't seem right. Although the machine has no appeal to me, I agree with using the Arduino Mega2560 microcontroller platform in managing the Inebriator's extensive I/O.
I find few things more annoying than an automated phone attandant, but these days, nearly every company uses them instead of a human operator. If someone can find a way to eliminate the need for a human bartender and save money, this will become popular, too, unfortunately.
This is a cool machine, but from the bartenders I've seen, this machine would be a tad slow. However, I'm sure this would be useful for tracking drinks, tracking supply consumption, and controlling portions.
Chuck, while I'm not so sure this machine really beats the human bartender, there are some automated functions that have really earned their keep. I prefer the ATM to the inside-the-building teller. Paying a bill online or via an automated system on the phone beats mailing the coupon. And half the time I make a phone call, I prefer reaching voicemail. I can efficiently deliver my message and go.
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