Linux-Based Bar-Monkey

An anonymous reader writes "The Bar-Monkey is a bar built around a 486 running linux that can dispense an 8 ounce mixed drink in under 10 seconds. It uses a Matrix Orbital Serial LCD panel with a keypad built into the bar surface for user input. Three Harvey Mudd College students built the bar in their spare time last semester. The bar holds 16 ingredients with which it can currently mix 188 drinks stored in its drink database. Total project cost: $235."

Comments

Re:Windshield washer pumps!

[wowbagger]

Of course, we should save money every place possible.

So, instead of using real booze, let's use washer fluid - it's much cheaper. So what if you get sick? It was cheaper.

And we can use lead solder on copper pipe - that's cheaper, too.

</sarcasm>

Windshield pumps can leech all sorts of nasty stuff into the drinks - I would think that it would make the booze taste terrible (I wouldn't know, as I think ALL booze tastes terrible), and I know that some of the stuff that leeches would be toxic.

Besides, truly ingenious people could MAKE a peristaltic pump themselves.

There's a time to scrimp, and a time to spend.