Machine Loses to Man in Bartending Competition

The first robotic bartender made for the mass market is putting human bartenders to the test. The “Makr Shakr” uses two, six-axis robotic arms to mix, shake and stir drinks to unparalleled precision.

To test the robot’s mettle against an expert, London’s Barbican Center staged a competition. The robot bartender, nicknamed “Toni,” went up against human bartender Felix Cohen. The bartenders made a Negroni cocktail and their own bespoke drink, and Cohen came away the victor in both competitions.

Many called the robot a fun diversion, but said the lack of human interaction is a gap that may be impossible to fill. Toni will continue to make drinks at the Barbican as part of the “AI: More than Human” exhibit until August 26.