Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Berlin's Robotic Pub

Posted by timothy on from the was-wollen-sie-denn-eigentlich dept.

Gallamine writes: "Take a trip to Berlin, and visit the Automaten Bar to have a drink served by a robot. This members-only bar is completely automated. While this may sound rather cool, the part I find disturbing is the fact that the owner plans on webcamming the security cameras so you can check on who's at the pub. The owner also wants to make it so you can have a SMS message sent to you when a particular person's entrance card is swiped by the system. I guess the idea is that you can get an e-mail to let you know that Bob is having a drink so you can stop by and chat. While it sounds like a bunch of baloney to me, it appears to be pretty popular in Berlin, as they've already got 130 members after 2 weeks without any advertising."

5 of 185 comments (clear)

  1. What about the drunks? by cfulmer · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Hmm... So, in the US, there are all sorts of liability suits about things like "The bartender knew I was drunk, but he let me drive myself home anyway," and there's always the occasional bar fight to respond to. Don't know how they handle that in this bar. Or, how does the bartender respond to the suicidal guy whose wife just left him? Bartenders do a lot more than just serve drinks.

    I wonder if they have electronic "Norm"s and "Cliff"s as well....

  2. This is cool, not "disturbing"! by pubjames · · Score: 4, Interesting

    While this may sound rather cool, the part I find disturbing is the fact that the owner plans on webcamming the security cameras so you can check on who's at the pub.

    Is this a site for nerds or what? This bar owner is doing something cool with technology, and the main point you make is that you find it disturbing? What is there to be paranoid about? Really?? I can't think of a reason to find this disturbing. Please explain...

  3. Re:Cynthia's Cyberbar in London by chiddiscokid · · Score: 2, Interesting

    we were not even allowed to key in the order and after the second drink the robot broke down.

    Also, the control screen in the back room had a bluish tint to it but I'm sure that was just coincidence :-)

    (and I agree, the Anchor is definitely better)

  4. Re:Only popular w/single people, I bet by jmccay · · Score: 3, Interesting

    That would be just the start. What's to stop bill collects from doing the same thing? What about stalkers and other crazy people?
    I bet law inforcement will like it. If they need to track down someone who frequents the bar, they can just get an e-mail!
    I bet insurance companies would love it too becuase what's to stop the owner from recording what people are drinking? If you get in an accident, they could just check up on you and see how many you had too drink.
    If the information is being stored on what you drink, it could then be sold to Health insurance companies. The health insurance companies can then charge based on the good, and bad, practices you have on drinking. They could, and probably would, use it as a cost saver.

    --
    At the next eco-hypocrisy-meeting, count the private jets used to get to the meeting. Should be interesting to see that
  5. Webcamming not bad by cybercuzco · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I wish that more security cameras were webcammed. Who says that only the police shoudl be allowed to know whats going on? What if theres a brutal police beating and the police just "happen" t o lose the video tape? I think corruption among law enforcement officers would be greatly reduced if every security camera were webcammed. What if that quick-e-mart clerk is taking hotdogs off the floor and selling them? webcam his ass. The only way that public cameras dont violate any rights is if they are truly public and available to everyone, not a select few.

    --