It's National Beer Day! Here's a list of Pint Pouring Robots
It's National Beer Day! Here's a list of Pint Pouring Robots
Cheers!
Raise a glass, today is National Beer Day (evidently)! And while it’s not an official holiday, it’s a good time to take a moment and look at the automated future of pint pouring.
Beer is actually the perfect beverage for robots (to dispense, not drink). Beer doesn’t require a complex mixology or fancy robotic motion. Loads of people stand in line for it, so the faster you pour it, the happier everyone is (and the more revenue you generate). And a robot can just sit there and churn out beers all day, freeing up human bartenders to do more customer service and make more complex drinks.
To celebrate National Beer Day, here is a list of beer pouring robots:
EBar
What is it? An automated beer vending machine capable of dispensing 300 beers per hour.
What makes it different? EBar offers “beer-as-a-service,” so the machines are mobile and moved around to different sporting and concert-type events.
Business model? Straight revenue share with the event venue.
Cost? No upfront cost, EBar takes a percentage of sales.
Where is it? Based in Aberdeen, England, but the machine travels all over the U.K.
Hop Robotics
What is it? Hop Robotics’ Walter robot uses an articulating arm to serve up pints of beer. The forthcoming update will allow it to serve 450 drinks per hour.
What makes it different? Walter is not a permanent installation, but rather is mobile and travels from event to event. Unlike other beer pouring robots, Walter uses special cups to dispense beer from the bottom up (check out the video above).
Business model? Company says it it still developing business model.
Where is it? Headquarterd in Greenville, South Carolina, Walter travels around the Southwest to different events.
Macco Robotics
What is it? Macco offers a number of robots including the KIME (Key-may) humanoid robotic bartender with two articulating arms, the single-armed beer cart as well as server robots for front of house at restaurants.
What makes it different? Macco’s ultimate goal is to make a robot chef and booze is the first step in that journey.
Business model? Undisclosed.
Where is it? Headquartered in Seville, Spain, the KIME has been trialed at Prio gas stations in Portugal.
Revolmatic
What is it? A countertop beer dispensing system capable of pouring 450 beers per hour. It can be used either with an integrated payment system — so people can buy their own drinks — or without to act as solely as a beer pouring mechanism.
What makes it different? Unlike other devices on this list, Revolmatic is a countertop machine and can be used in conjunction with a human operator.
Business model? The company offers different payment models (lease/buy), depending on the customer.
Cost? Depends. Price is based on configuration and options (volume machine purchase discounts available). Options include self payment, an extra screen for commercials, IoT, battery, and more.
Where is it? The company is headquarted in Krakow, Poland, with units currently operatin in Germany, UK, Czechia, Belgium, France, Holland, Croatia, Hungary, Ukraine/Russia, Israel, and Australia.