Kegbot: The Future of Robotic Drink Service, Now

An anonymous reader writes "Frat houses all over the world could soon be linked up in massive online drinking games, thanks to Kegbot, a standard kegerator that uses an RFID alternative to track how much the drinkers have imbibed and feeds that data over an embedded ethernet into an online database. One of Kegbot's main creators, Mike Wakerly, says the technology can actually promote more responsible drinking because it allows people to be cut off from using the tap after the system detects that they've had more than their alloted fluid ounces." Reader bloglogic points to "more pics and instructions on building your own Kegbot at the Make Magazine web site."

Comments

Re:Oh good!

[TheGavster]

Because a community college is a great poster child for free-thinking institutes of higher education ...

I find your belief that everyone who drinks a) drinks toxic amounts and b) immediately hops in the car if the alcohol didn't kill them somewhat bizarre. If you're drinking in a social environment, there's probably a system in place to keep the drunks away from the wheel, and to do something about the guy who's been unconcious on the floor of the bathroom for the past hour. If you're at a party smart enough to have a network-enabled keg, they're probably smart enough to take measures to minimize casualties.

Here's Mud in Yer Eye

[Doc Ruby]

Let's see, a robot that replaces your own sense of when you've had enough, somehow promotes "responsibility"? Not even the bartender is "responsible" in that cutoff scenario - it's the programmer, if anyone. That kind of "responsibility" is known as a "crutch". An early form of cybernetics that helps people unable to function on their own to make it through a task anyway. But crutches don't do anything for one's conscience, self control, or "responsibility".

Of course, this device might make it easier to cut off drunks. Or it might just make it easier for a confederate to get a drink for a drunk, without a canny human bartender to detect the ruse. The missing human bartender also won't be able to detect that a problem drinker is becoming a problem, before they reach their biological limit, because they're already pretty drunk, they're angry, or just an asshole.

This device makes it easier for a lone person to get drunk. Let's celebrate that convenience, rather than spout nonsense about "responsibility", or some other ridiculous moralizing.

Responsibility?

[Rew190]

technology can actually promote more responsible drinking because it allows people to be cut off from using the tap

It's both humorous and sad how the word "responsibility" has been used lately.

This does not promote responsibility.

crud

[TheHonestTruth]

So 27 to "maybe even 30" is older now?? F me. I thought I'd have to hit up into the 40's to be called "older." Thanks. Since I'm 29, now I feel old... well "older."

-truth