US techie invents 'Robo-barman'

A Florida engineering student has designed a robot that will open and serve bottles of beers.

The robot, called Abor (autonomous beer-opening robot), moves along the bar, steadies a bottle placed before him and removes the cap before moving away to allow the drinker to enjoy his brew.

As such, cynics may say Abor is little more than a glorified bottle opener - and they'd be right.

The only real difference being it would be quicker, easier and cheaper to have a barman, who would have to be present in order to collect money and put the beers on the bar in the first place, do it for you. However, it would be foolish to write off the appeal of novelty and the effect of gimmicks on the drinks industry over the years.

However, while Abor is unable to provide you with a witty line in blue humour, a shoulder to cry on, the number of a local taxi firm or directions to the nearest curry house it would appear the complete robot barman is still some way off (though Abor is doubtless more charismatic than the staff in silicon.com's local).

Although designer Jean-Philippe Clerc says he prefers drinking wine and Champagne, he managed to force himself to drink 134 beers during the four-month process of building and testing Abor, according to reports on Ananova.