RIT co-op students create robot bartender

(WHAM) - A group of students for Rochester Institute of Technology may be giving us a glimpse at the future of bartending.

A co-op team working with the Victor-based technology firm Teknic was challenged to create an automated machine using motion and I/O controllers.

Students at RIT's engineering and computing & information sciences colleges worked during the summer and fall on the machine. Mechanical, electrical, computer, and software engineering students ended up using high-tech, brushless servo motors that were connected to sensors, solenoids, and other hardware components to create the finished product.

“The robotic bartender is a mix of fun and serious engineering,” said Abe Amirana, director at Teknic.

People who use the machine can put in their order by browsing a touch screen menu. Thousands of drink combinations are possible.

“RIT has a really good emphasis on group work and communications – that proved invaluable when working with an inter-disciplinary team trying to complete a sophisticated automated machine of this nature in a short period of time,” said Carter Miller, a mechanical engineering major who plans to graduate this May and will work with Teknic in its mechanical engineering department.

Brandon Key, Cody Burrows and Alex Amari were also part of the team. Each was hired by the company.

“At Teknic, we have a strong commitment and loyalty to the co-op program,” said Amirana. “We had a successful 2020, a most difficult year for many, and we were able to honor our commitments to the program and the students.”