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Intelligent Coasters Keep Beer Mugs Full

Posted by Zonk on from the best-science-ever dept.

Dotnaught writes "CNN.com is reporting that two German students have invented a beer mat, or coaster, that uses sensor chips to determine when the beer glass it supports is empty and then radios the bartender for a refill. One of the students interviewed for the story suggested that lifting mugs from sensing mats could double as a voting system during karaoke competitions." From the article: "Unlike the usual cardboard beer mats, the invention is made out of plastic, which means it does not absorb water. Butz said that to get around the problem, ordinary cardboard mats could be placed on top of the plastic version to absorb liquid and display advertising. 'Cardboard beer mats could still sit on top of the plastic mat and there could still be advertising, and you would just exchange the cardboard mat when you wanted to change the advertising.'"

5 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. A beer gadget! by lheal · · Score: 5, Funny

    My life is complete. Now I don't even have to speak to bartenders! I can just use my mouth for its One True Purpose, the ingestion of sufficient quantities of "liquid bread".

    Germany is where?

    --
    Raise your children as if you were teaching them to raise your grandchildren, because you are.
    1. Re:A beer gadget! by No+Salvation · · Score: 5, Funny
      Tomorrows news...
      CNN.com is reporting that two German students have invented a beer stool, or chair, that uses sensor chips to determine when the occupant it supports has fallen off and then radios for a cab.
      --
      I'm agneglectic, too lazy to care if there is a God.
  2. I know this is hard to believe, but... by phlegmofdiscontent · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sometimes, I don't WANT another beer (usually when I can't afford another beer).

  3. Re:It can tell when a glass is empty... by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...but can it tell when you've had enough for the night?

    What, reinvent the wife?

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  4. Sounds like something out of SciFi. by zwilliams07 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Giving the coasters total control of beer? They could keep mankind enslaved.

    I, for one, welcome our new Intelligent Coaster Overlords.