Makr Shakr is a completely automated bartending system. Through a mobile app, users can browse, design and order an almost limitless amount of cocktail combinations which are then assembled by two shaker-handed robotic arms. The movements of the arms are inspired by the ones of a real bartender: they can shake, stir, muddle, strain and pour more than 40 different ingredients with milliliter precision. Guests can then rate, comment and share their creations, contributing to a growing database of crowd-sourced cocktail recipes. Robots can prepare one of approximately one Googol (equal to 10100) crowd-sourced drink combinations. In partnership with COOP Italia, Makr Shakr On The Road was first installed in Piazza Italia, at the heart of EXPO Milan.
Following the Expo, the system will be available for rent: the robotic bar experience can be delivered to any event and location. Arriving ready to use, the whole system can be unpacked with minimum effort. We imagine the container popping up in public spaces, events and city streets. This will guarantee a vibrant and varied social experience.
The design for a mobile platform represents a research process, resulting in a compact final product, without any compromise in quality or functionality. From the technical point of view, the system is autonomous: it only needs power. The container has a network connection and it can be remote-controlled while two big screens give real-time information about ingredients, drinks and user participation.