Robot Barman Pulls Its Weight
A robotic barman - Mr Asahi - spent last week pulling beer in Selfridges, London on the first stage of its world tour. The robot combines robotics and animatronics, all controlled by a PC. He can take the tops off beer bottles as well as pour pints and halves (of Asahi beer, naturally).
One drawback of Mister Asahi (apart from the hundred grand price tag) is that it doesn’t have much of a personality. Although it’s apparently able to smile, greet and respond, I doubt it’s equipped to handle customers sharing their problems as they cry into their beer. If so then it’s could be a bleak future for many people who rely on the local barman for their weekly dose of therapy.
Hmm, that gives me an idea for a new chatbot…