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AI Bartender Mixes Drinks, But Can It Hear You?
7 Jan
Summary
- AI Barmen uses facial recognition to guess age and monitor sobriety.
- The AI system struggled with voice commands amid noisy CES crowds.
- This AI bartender leases for $1,500 per event and plans subscriptions.
At CES, a startup unveiled the AI Barmen, an AI-powered machine designed to serve as a bartender. This innovative system, shaped like a kitchen island with a touch screen, promises to mix a variety of drinks, engage in conversation, and even assess a patron's sobriety. It utilizes facial recognition technology for age verification and to monitor intoxication levels, offering softer drinks or water if needed.
Despite its sophisticated features, the AI Barmen encountered significant usability issues during its demonstration. The system struggled to accurately process voice commands amidst the loud environment of CES, and its facial recognition capabilities proved inconsistent, misjudging the user's age on multiple occasions. These shortcomings raise questions about the reliability of its sobriety-testing functions.
The San Francisco-based startup is currently leasing the AI Barmen for $1,500 per event, with plans to offer monthly subscriptions to broaden its appeal. The company aims to raise funds for expansion and to "gamify" the experience, encouraging users with points and badges. While not yet perfect, the AI Barmen presents a novel convenience for bar-goers.
