KegDriod: for when "drinking beer has gotten to be very boring"

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Todd, Apr 30, 2012.

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  1. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

    Introducing ... the KegDroid beer dispensing System.

    I love this gem from Paul Carff during the intro ...
    Wait. It's about get even more boring, and cumbersome ...



    It's basically a tap system controlled by an Zoom tablet running Android ICS with an arduino microcontroller and NFC authentication badge system. The app reads the badge, authenticates, pulls your Google ID info, displays it and shows the beer info too. From there you can select the beer, pour size and even rate it. Pours are measured by the system. And I'm hoping all pours aren't like the one in the demo; foamy as hell.

    Cool technology, but the core idea has been around for years now.
     
  2. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I have literally no idea what this means.
     
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  3. leedorham

    leedorham Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2006 Washington

    I wonder if it's because all the electronics heat up the beer lines.

    Edit: also, "Driod."
     
  4. FosterJM

    FosterJM Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2009 California

    1. It has a tablet, like a ipad but cheaper and less fluff on it.
    2. Android ICS is the software
    3. Microcontroller is the computer
    4. NFC is like a bar code scanner

    or.....
    You were just being a smartass and I just wasted my time typing that.

    Either way.

    Cheers!
     
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  5. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Nope, I was not being a smartass. Your explanation helped a little. I've completely avoided the whole smartphone/tablet revolution, I'm just waiting til they embed microprocessors directly in our frontal lobes.
    Thanks. Cheers!
     
  6. stupac2

    stupac2 Pooh-Bah (2,031) Feb 22, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Well, there are a few computers here. My understanding is that it's an easily programmable software-hardware interface, in this case interfacing the tablet app with whatever machinery taps (probably a few actuators or something, I can't actually watch the video). Make magazine was pimping them for a while, a buddy used one to make a phone app that would open his door, because he would constantly forget his keys (but apparently not his phone). That was fun, I just randomly opened the door a few times.

    You can see why that wouldn't be a good idea.


    Anyway, this thing sounds overly elaborate and pointless, almost as though someone was just doing it to do it. Which is fine, but beerapults are way cooler.
     
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  7. FosterJM

    FosterJM Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2009 California

    No problem. Easy way to think of it, is when you slide a barcode scanner and something happens. In this case you scan the card and beer pours out. Those items all work together to talk to eachother and pour your beer.

    Cheers!
     
  8. FosterJM

    FosterJM Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2009 California

    Yes, there are a few all integrated together but I didnt want to go too into detail. I was giving the 10,000Ft view of it. That would be very fun to play with!!! HA HA HA!

    Cheers!
     
  9. ixodus

    ixodus Pundit (775) Jul 18, 2010 New Jersey

    I gotta get one of these! Picnic tapping my kegs is getting so boring :rolling_eyes:.
     
  10. MeadGuyfromMD

    MeadGuyfromMD Zealot (562) May 23, 2007 Maryland
    Trader

    This is terrific! And that flow meter is exactly what I need for a project I am working on. I can't seem to find them though, was there contact info in the video?
    ~Phil
     
  11. DirtyPenny

    DirtyPenny Pundit (903) Jun 25, 2011 Massachusetts

    I, too, consider the system that pours my beer to be the most important part of drinking it. This will compete with that hunchbacked bartender I know who can do a triple salchow during a pour.

    Seriously though,this is nifty and all, but this is not exactly going to push me to drink in a particular place. And how is getting "bored with beer" solved by having a funky hi-tech pour system?
     
  12. hophead247

    hophead247 Initiate (0) Jan 27, 2008 California

    I have a keg lock for my kegerator...
     
  13. podunkparte

    podunkparte Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2009 Washington

    So how again is this (expensive) machine an upgrade from a guy just pulling a handle?

    Is brushing your teeth too boring? Why not buy a robot to do it for you?
     
  14. Chugs13

    Chugs13 Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2011 New Jersey

    What exactly is the practical use of this thing?
     
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  15. commis

    commis Initiate (0) Jul 21, 2009 Massachusetts

    I hope they didn't kill an entire keg of Sculpin in this manner.
     
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  16. BumpkinBrewer

    BumpkinBrewer Pundit (993) Jan 6, 2010 Massachusetts

    I wouldn't mind sharing 1 tap with mutliple kegs but i have no need for it to pour the exact amount for me. Pull the lever, look at glass till full, push back lever....not difficult
     
  17. ShanePB

    ShanePB Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2010 Pennsylvania

    It's not. Looks cool, sure but really it serves no purpose. Not to mention you STILL have to pull the tap handle. :rolling_eyes:
     
  18. Bitterbill

    Bitterbill Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,036) Sep 14, 2002 Wyoming
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Ditto for me.
     
  19. LaneMeyer

    LaneMeyer Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2011 California

    Wait, am I missing something.. how is this making drinking beer more fun?
     
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  20. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    i zoned out at about 1:10. something about an arduino, nfc reader and something else i'm not sure. oh, authentication.

    i have nothing against technology.
    i drink alot of beer and it requires zero technology.
    beer drinking does not require any electronics.
    electronics does not improve beer.
    i love my beer electronics free.
    this device makes my head sad, and now i will enjoy a beer in a glass.
     
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