Las Vegas is about to get its first bar where robots mix the drinks

By Luke Dormehl Published June 19, 2017

The Tipsy Robot Las Vegas Bar Attraction

There are plenty of different hypotheses about whether the currently happening rise of the machines will be a net positive for humanity or not. But one move which surely won’t win us too many brownie points with our future robotic overlords is to take some of their best representatives and force them to mix and serve us drinks!

Still, that’s the business plan the folks behind an upcoming Las Vegas bar are running with. Called the Tipsy Robot, the results of their plan is a cocktail bar that’s set to open later this month. It allows you to order drinks via iPad, and then have them mixed by one of two smart robots behind the bar, whose arm motions mimic those of a human bartender. That means stirring, shaking, mixing and garnish-adding moves that would have Cocktail-era Tom Cruise fearing for his future job.

Recommended Videos

The robots — or “Galactic Ambassadors” as they’re known — have previously been used to whip up custom cocktails on the Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas cruise liner. Their new job on the Las Vegas strip represents their first outing on dry land.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

As with many uses of automation, one of their big advantages is the continued speed that they’re able to operate at. Throughout their shift, the robots can each pour 120 per hour without taking a break. Customers get to order whichever beverage they want from the expertly-crafted cocktail menu, and even receive an accurate arrival time prediction the moment they place their request.

The retro-futuristic joint will open its doors for the first time at Las Vegas’ Miracle Mile Shops on Friday, June 30. From that point on, it will be open for business 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to midnight on weekends.

In addition to the bionic bartenders, entertainment at the cocktail lounge will come from a live social media wall, photo booth, and — most exotic of all — some human bartenders, should you wish to interact with someone whose chat isn’t all ones and zeroes.

In true “paperclip maximizer” doomsday scenario, we presume these human bartenders will be the first to go when the robots do finally assume control!

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

I'm a UK-based tech writer covering Cool Tech at Digital Trends. I've also written for Fast Company, Wired, the Guardian…

Cars

Kia America COO says ending EV tax credit would be dumb

kia coo ending ev incentive dumb zeta evs

With Kia just getting started with the expansion of its U.S.-made electric-vehicle (EV) lineup, the automaker may have a good perspective on what losing tax incentives on EVs could mean for the industry and the economy.

The transition team of the incoming Trump administration is reportedly planning to end the federal $7,500 tax credit on the purchase or lease of an EV. Under the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), an EV made in North America is eligible for the incentive.

Cars

Mercedes bets solar paint is part of EV-charging future

mercedes solar paint evs benz electric camper

It’s been said that Albert Einstein’s genius came from his ability to freely wonder and ask child-like questions way before he even tried applying science-based solutions.
It seems some within the R&D department at Mercedes-Benz might be similarly inspired. The German automaker is currently developing a special solar paint that, when applied on the surface of vehicles, can harness enough energy from the sun to power up EVs.
The energy generated by the paint’s solar cells can be used for driving or fed directly into a high-voltage battery.
“The photovoltaic system is permanently active and also generates energy when the vehicle is switched off,” Mercedes says. “In the future, this could be a highly effective solution for increased electric range and fewer charging stops.”
The layer of paste to be applied on EVs is significantly thinner than a human hair, yet its photovoltaic cells are packed full of energy. Covering the surface of a mid-size SUV with the paint could produce enough energy for up to 7,456 miles per year under ideal conditions, Mercedes says.
This does imply being in geographic locations with plenty of sun hours during the day.
But even with less-than-ideal sun hours, the energy yielded can make a significant difference to EV charging. Mercedes says the solar-paint charge could provide 100% of needed energy for an average daily drive of 32 miles in sun-drenched Los Angeles. In much less sunny conditions -- such as around Mercedes’ headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany -- it would still yield enough energy for 62% of the distance.
An added bonus for environmentally-conscious drivers: Unlike some solar panels, the solar paint contains no rare earth or silicon – only non-toxic, readily available raw materials. It’s also easy to recycle and considerably cheaper to produce than conventional solar modules, Mercedes says.
The likes of Aptera, Sono Motors, Lightyear, and Hyundai have also been researching how to best harness solar energy to power up EVs.
But that’s been mostly through solar panels yielding enough energy for small and light vehicles, such as Aptera’s three-wheel solar EV. Solar paint could bring solar charging for bigger vehicles, such as electric SUVs, Mercedes says.

Cars

Volkswagen’s affordable ID.2 EV remains on track

vw id2 volkswagen affordable ev 1

It’s no secret that Volkswagen has been facing a huge slump in sales in Europe and China, forcing it to close plants in Germany.

But unlike other European automakers who have stuck to producing high-end electric vehicles (EVs), the German automaker keeps on reaffirming its commitment to bringing affordable EVs to market, including in the U.S.