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If robots and humans are ever truly going to bond, it's going to have to be over drinks in a dimly lit bar. That, more or less, is the notion behind Roboexotica, an annual event in Vienna, Austria, at which "cocktail robots" show whether they've committed the Mr. Boston bartending guide to memory. Some even offer a running commentary.

The mojito-mixing contraption in this picture is Robomoji. Its 32-year-old inventor, a German man named Robert Martin, spoke to the Reuters news service at this year's event, which began Tuesday and runs through the weekend. "I just love to develop my robot. I have worked on it for the past four years, and every year it goes a step further," Martin said. "Next year I'll get the bit fixed where it stirs the drink and then puts in a straw."

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1

ITdaized

04/27/07 | Report as spam

um i think i could use one of those in my cubicle

working with IT iliterate people all day i could use one of these robots at work.

I typically don't drink much but sometimes.....
2

jlafitte

05/21/07 | Report as spam

Anthony Boucher's "Q.U.R." finally coming true?

The science fiction and mystery author (and editor) Anthony Boucher saw this coming in his short story "Q.U.R." - his robot, admittedly, mixed something a sight more complex than a mojito - but still, the late Mr. Boucher deserves a tip of the hat for prescience in fiction.
3

steven-t

08/29/09 | Report as spam

RE: (Photos: Happy hour with robots)

The inventor needs to go out more often ... its more fun drinking beer with real people