BarBot Project

As per the project announcement on the mailing list, the goal of this project is to create a robot capable of serving (some) cocktails. Some pictures of cocktail robots can be found in the presentation shown at open night on 2014-03-26.

Goal

To have a functional booze-serving robot ready to take to EM Fields at the end of August 2014.

Minimal functionality

Make drinks from a combination of four or more spirits (six is better)
To have some visibly moving part(s) - i.e. not the Bartendro approach where ingredients are pumped to a static glass via static tubes.
For punters to be able to choose their beverage interactively some how

Stretch Goals

Have options to add mixers (e.g. tonic water)
Ice dispenser
Make it look pretty

Project Management

Makers

Collaborators wanted! If you can prototype something, help with electronics, power systems or software (particularly making a pretty web interface), help build a sturdy frame or with good artistic physical design please contact project lead, Mouse. Serious builders only please - offers of "I'll help you drink cocktails" will be met with scorn. There's a lot to do and a tight deadline so please don't waste our time.

See also: Makers page to see who's doing what.

Meetings

Meeting are at 19:30 on Thursdays at Nottinghack, change announcements will be via the Nottinghack mailing list.

Project timeline

The goal is to have a working robot to take to EM Fields which is at the end of August 2014. More details of sub-project deadlines / goals on the BarBot/Project timeline page.

Purchases & Expenditure

I'd like to keep track of how much is spent on what so I can look back at the end of the project and have a good idea of what it costs to do something like this. I'd also like to reimburse anyone who spends more than their fair share. Please track expenditure on the Purchases and expenditure page.

Design

TODO: split this into a separate page

timescales - in time for EMF camp?
portability and power - bulky?
reliability on uptime
setup and teardown
management of lots of drunken people

Fundamental sub-projects

Dispensing ingredients
Delivering ingredients to glass
Post-processing: stirring / shaking etc. (stretch goal)
Control software
- Database schema for storing recipes & system config info
- Real-time software control (motor control etc.)
- User interface (web-based)
- Ingredient set-up interface
- Recipe execution software (convert recipe into h/w control sequences)
Power system 12V battery & mains operation
Styling and flair
Recipe collection

References

http://partyrobotics.com/
http://hackaday.com/?s=barbot
All time top drinks at webtender http://www.webtender.com/statistics/all-time-top.html

ebay

BarBot

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