In Return Of The Jedi, remember R2D2 buzzing around with a tray of alien happy hour specials for the party crowd aboard Jabba the Hutt’s skiff? A science-fiction scene of droids serving cocktails is becoming a reality.
Robotic bartenders are here in their first wave. These booze-friendly machines have already overcome the technical and capital challenges of starting a business. The folks behind the stick at Cheers and the dance routines on the bar at Coyote Ugly won’t be as charming as those behind the stick at Cheers.
In terms of robotic displays, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas offers the largest and most amazing displays. Several metal robot arms form a dance-like formation known as the Bionic Bar. The piston-and-cyborg hand-powered B1-0 and N1-C units swing the length of a huge bar as they pick up ingredients and grasp drinks. It is possible to produce 1,000 drinks a day at a rate of two drinks per minute. What do you think of that?
A dancer from The American Ballet Theater combines 30 spirits with 21 mixers, shakes, stirs, muddles, and strains them in the same manner. Impressive, but bizarre and slightly threatening, are the bionic arms. Probably that’s why you can order food from a human waiter.
The other side of the spectrum, however, is quite different. A neon-lit photo booth is what it looks like for commercial use; a shiny box with a drink dispenser is what it looks like for residential use.
There is nothing particularly obtrusive about it, but it does not appear like it can reach and crush you either. The restaurant is ready to serve its guests, as its name suggests. With a smartphone app, you can order refreshments immediately.
Depending on your preferences, Monsieur prepares 25 kinds of drinks for you. Since spring 2014, the machines have been available for purchase. There are currently no more available of the first batch. It costs $ 3999.00. For an installation fee of $ 1,000, it is possible to lease the units for commercial use for $ 299 per month.