March 16, 2008: Robot Sommelier

Clodfobble · 03-16-2008, 03:07 PM

From NEC Technologies comes this cute little guy, billed as the world's first robot sommelier. It can "taste" wines, differentiate between several dozen brands, and even recommend food to go along with them. And you don't even have to open the bottle--the sensor on its arm shines infrared light into your wine of choice, and determines the ingredients based on what wavelengths are absorbed. The company also says it would be possible to personalize one of the robots to be able to decide whether its owner would like a particular wine or not.

In initial design stages, it was trained to taste a variety of foods before the researchers decided to focus on the subtleties of wine "because that seemed like a real challenge." But perhaps the limited ingredients actually made its job easier: at an earlier demonstration of the robot in 2006, "when a reporter’s hand was placed against the robot’s taste sensor, it was identified as prosciutto. Subsequently, a cameraman was mistaken for bacon."

xoxoxoBruce · 03-16-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

But perhaps the limited ingredients actually made its job easier

I should think the great variety of glass bottles from all over the world would make it more difficult.

Everyone knows cameramen are pigs.

Sheldonrs · 03-16-2008, 09:52 PM

Gives new meaning to the term "Well oiled machine".

OB · 03-16-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

And you don't even have to open the bottle--the sensor on its arm shines infrared light into your wine of choice, and determines the ingredients based on what wavelengths are absorbed.

So now you can go wining, dining, and champagne shining.

smoothmoniker · 03-16-2008, 11:30 PM

I don't trust any robot that thinks yellow tail is an acceptable wine for drinking by humans.

val5150 · 03-17-2008, 10:14 AM

I Like Yellowtail! Even though Barefoot is my favorite.

But as far as this thing goes... I'll only be impressed when it can open the bottle and pour me a glass!

Flint · 03-17-2008, 10:15 AM

But...how does it test those wines that come in a box?!

Shawnee123 · 03-17-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by val5150

I Like Yellowtail! Even though Barefoot is my favorite.

But as far as this thing goes... I'll only be impressed when it can open the bottle and pour me a glass!

Went to an open house where my brother works, and their company makes these. Saw one in action.

Flint · 03-17-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

Went to an open house where my brother works, and their company makes these. Saw one in action.

They built one of those on Monster House, from scratch from off-the-shelf parts.

val5150 · 03-17-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

Went to an open house where my brother works, and their company makes these. Saw one in action.

I LOVE it!!!

And now I want one

Wondering if I can get it to do the laundry too

Trilby · 03-17-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

But...how does it test those wines that come in a box?!

Yeah. And I like my boxed wine with a pinch of sugar in it...will the robot do that for me? And why no doobie-rolling 'bots? Now those would sell, baby.

euphoriatheory · 03-17-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

But...how does it test those wines that come in a box?!

I'm thinking chances are good that if you like box-o-wine, you don't need the robot. You need a swift blow to the head.

I want to know if I can take it to the liquor store with me. Or a vinyard. Can you haggle on wine based on the robot's analysis??

Gravdigr · 03-18-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

And why no doobie-rolling 'bots? Now those would sell, baby.

Are you crazy? I can barely keep myself in weed now. Imagine a robot coming up to me all the time with a rolled joint in its hand...

Quote:

Originally Posted by euphoriatheory

I want to know if I can take it to the liquor store with me. Can you haggle on wine based on the robot's analysis??

If you would haggle over a bottle of wine, you probably won't spring for the robot.

Flint · 03-18-2008, 05:47 PM

...

03-16-2008, 03:07 PM	#1
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	March 16, 2008: Robot Sommelier From NEC Technologies comes this cute little guy, billed as the world's first robot sommelier. It can "taste" wines, differentiate between several dozen brands, and even recommend food to go along with them. And you don't even have to open the bottle--the sensor on its arm shines infrared light into your wine of choice, and determines the ingredients based on what wavelengths are absorbed. The company also says it would be possible to personalize one of the robots to be able to decide whether its owner would like a particular wine or not. In initial design stages, it was trained to taste a variety of foods before the researchers decided to focus on the subtleties of wine "because that seemed like a real challenge." But perhaps the limited ingredients actually made its job easier: at an earlier demonstration of the robot in 2006, "when a reporter’s hand was placed against the robot’s taste sensor, it was identified as prosciutto. Subsequently, a cameraman was mistaken for bacon."

03-16-2008, 09:52 PM	#3
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	Gives new meaning to the term "Well oiled machine". __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

03-16-2008, 11:30 PM	#5
smoothmoniker to live and die in LA Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,090	I don't trust any robot that thinks yellow tail is an acceptable wine for drinking by humans. __________________ to live and die in LA

03-17-2008, 10:15 AM	#7
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	But...how does it test those wines that come in a box?! __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

03-18-2008, 05:47 PM	#14
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	... Attached Images __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

03-17-2008, 10:14 AM	#6
val5150 Naw, I'm not gonna hit ya..... the HELL I'm not! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Vado, NM Posts: 11	I Like Yellowtail! Even though Barefoot is my favorite. But as far as this thing goes... I'll only be impressed when it can open the bottle and pour me a glass!

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