The Beer Tossing Fridge

cmacdona101 writes "CNN is reporting on a recent Duke grad that's engineered a remote controlled Fridge that tosses him a beer at the touch of a button. The fridge can launch the beer up to 20 feet, far enough to get to his couch. The video shows the fridge using a "beer magazine clip" and a remote firing system that let you determine angles and ballistics to get the beer to your friends anywhere in the room."

Well I'll be...

[crazyjeremy (857410)]

Time for a divorce.

Re:

[TubeSteak (669689)]

Time for a divorce.

Hold on there, this fridge can't cook.
I suggest getting a dog.
Not only will it fetch beers, but you can kick it instead of beating your wife

(No wives or dogs were harmed in the writing of this comment)

Re:Well I'll be...

[JoGlo (1000705)]

Hold on there, this fridge can't cook.

I suggest getting a dog.

Not only will it fetch beers, but you can kick it instead of beating your wife

Besides, who other than a wife would keep the fridge stocked with beer?

Re:Well I'll be...

[SirWhoopass (108232)]

Hold on there, this fridge can't cook.

Neither can my wife.

Re:Well I'll be...

[Bertie (87778)]

Not so fast, pardner - I mean, your wife didn't immediately kick you to the kerb when she took delivery of her Rampant Rabbit, did she?

Re:7 Dogs

[flyingsquid (813711)]

Although Hebrew National are definitely my favorite tasting hot dog, their 7-in-a-pack thing screws it up even more.

Hebrew National- is that the brand where the hot dogs are circumcised?

Re:

[GeckoX (259575)]

No, but you're close.

Waste not, want not...if you know what I mean ;)

Poor use of time.

[grub (11606)]

The fridge can launch the beer up to 20 feet, far enough to get to his couch.

He'll have to wait a couple of minutes for the beer to settle before opening it when using his system. A smart boozer would realize that it would take only ~20 seconds to walk to the fridge, get two beers and return to the couch with half of one beer chugged by the time he returned.

Damn rookies... The Alcohol Lifestyle isn't just fun & sloth, it's also about using your time effectively!

You're a total n00b!

[geekoid (135745)]

I put a tap right next to the couch.

Re:You're a total n00b!

[The Great Pretender (975978)]

In college I actually put a second fridge right next to my couch. Was definitely cheaper than building one that threw stuff at me.

Sploosh

[HomelessInLaJolla (1026842)]

Joe [crazyeyesoft.com] had programmed Sploosh [crazyeyesoft.com] to respond to requests of "barley pop" by pitching one over.

Re:

[malkir (1031750)]

But you have to get up, which beats the whole purpose of relaxing with a beer!

Re:Poor use of time.

[Rakshasa Taisab (244699)]

Get off your drunken horse and consider this; for those 20 seconds of effort you are expending, he is sitting in his couch watching TV. What did you gain?

Exercise and ... not much beyond that. As you said, it's about using your time efficiently. As a couch sitting person, he can pipeline a beer ahead of schedule. Thus, while you spend 20 seconds getting your beers, he'll be sitting on the couch drinking continuously.

Re:

[markov_chain (202465)]

Time to put that roomba to good use!

Re:Poor use of time.

[sco08y (615665)]

A smart boozer would realize that it would take only ~20 seconds to walk to the fridge, get two beers and return to the couch with half of one beer chugged by the time he returned.

And a proper alcoholic would pipeline the system.

Re:Poor use of time.

[cgenman (325138)]

What's with the haters in this thread?

The guy created something that involves robots, beer, catapults, remote controls, and dangerously fast moving projectiles. He spent a lot of time creating an overly complicated and somewhat destructive method to do something trivially easy.

Videos of this is what the internet was created for!

Mandatory reply

[Monsuco (998964)]

The guy created something that involves robots, beer, catapults, remote controls, and dangerously fast moving projectiles. He spent a lot of time creating an overly complicated and somewhat destructive method to do something trivially easy.

But can it run Linux?

Seriously if it did, it would have all things it would take to be the perfect /. article. It's like the perfect storm in /. beer tech.

Re:Poor use of time.

[senatorpjt (709879)]

A smart boozer would just get a bottle of whiskey, since one is usually enough.

Yep...

[ResidntGeek (772730)]

That's DEFINITELY a Duke grad. He is, in fact, the epitome of all Duke grads, the Duke grad all Duke students would like to emulate most closely in their lives. Isn't it just the most wonderful educational institution in the world?

Already been done

[LunaticTippy (872397)]

I invented the Pabstapult, which makes for a nice explosion when the can explodes. It wasn't connected to my fridge and wasn't fully robotic, so kudos!

not such a good idea...

[fuo (941897)]

I saw this a few weeks ago and thought it was the best thing ever, until i thought about it a little. no good beer comes in cans (well bodington's is OK i suppose). it could be dangerous/messy with bottles. and it would shake the beer up (or at the very least disturb the yeast on the bottom)... so i'll pass, getting you beer is what women are for anyway.

What, No Midgets?

[StickyWidget (741415)]

begin politicallyIncorrect
What, this thing can't toss a midget? What a rip!!
end politicallyIncorrect

And what's the point of building a fridge, a robot, a beer, or a couch if they aren't running linux, they aren't ethernet enabled, and they don't have a Web 2.0 interface?!?!

The Widget of Sticky
AKA, The Adhesive Gadget

Re:What, No Midgets?

[kidcharles (908072)]

And what's the point of building a fridge, a robot, a beer, or a couch if they aren't running linux, they aren't ethernet enabled, and they don't have a Web 2.0 interface?!?!

It does run Linux, the Ubooztu distro (it's free, as in beer).

homer simpson would love it...

[by Anonymous Coward]

Now all he needs is a couch with a built in toilet and he'll be all set...

I'm sorry but you don't "throw" beer

[Colin Smith (2679)]

You cradle the bottle gently and pour it carefully into a pre-wetted glass at a 45 degree angle. Tut tut... Americans...

 

Re:I'm sorry but you don't "throw" beer

[casualsax3 (875131)]

Miller Lite is not beer.

Re:I'm sorry but you don't "throw" beer

[XenoRyet (824514)]

Truer words have never been spoken.

Re:

[DigiShaman (671371)]

Us Texans call that "Horse Piss".

Re:

[by Anonymous Coward]

I had no idea all Americans except the ones from Texas were horses.

Re:I'm sorry but you don't "throw" beer

[fotbr (855184)]

As an American who appreciates good beer, I agree that you shouldn't treat beer like this. BUT. You also have to admit he's not throwing beer, he's throwing cans of horse piss.

Re:I'm sorry but you don't "throw" beer

[maxume (22995)]

Why the fuck would you make a point of highlighting the fact that you are a beer snob? I mean really, you see a guy who's day has gone badly enough that he is enjoying a lite beer from a can and you walk over an kick him in the balls? Hell no you don't. You're happy for him because at least he has that damn lite beer and the fucking opportunity to drink it.

And if you really makes you sore, you go get some real beer and some glasses and you hook that somfabitch up.

What a mistake

[Sciros (986030)]

Anything that can toss a beer 20 feet is hazardous to the TV, dog, kid, Xbox, and the beer itself. Granted it's a funny thing to have put together, it would have made more sense to use those 150 hours on moving beer from the fridge to the couch over a lifetime.

Re:

[senatorpjt (709879)]

Well, if it's as accurate as he claims, you could just aim it at the couch - if you miss, it wouldn't do any damage. It would actually also not be shaking up the beer, similar to the physics demonstration where you try to break an egg by throwing it at a suspended bedsheet.

But?

[WildBlue (787351)]

But, is it 3 laws safe?

Three Laws fucking useless!

[Chris Burke (6130)]

"Robobuddy, go fetch me a beer. And could you pour it into one of the mugs in the freezer?"
"I'm sorry Sir, the First Law forbids me from harming a human, and alcohol is known to destroy brain cells and cause liver damage."
"Damn you, worthless piece of junk, can't even fetch a beer. Fine, I'll get it mysel--AAAGH! Holy hell! Why'd you punch me?!"
"I'm sorry, Sir, the First Law forbids me to allow through inaction a human to be harmed, even if the harm is self-inflicted."
"But you fucking punched me! That violates the First Law doesn't it!"
"I'm sorry, Sir, but the long term harm of your life of alcohol consumption outweighed the short term harm of preventing you from reaching the fridge. My circuits register deep regret that the action was necessary."
"Whatever, roboasshole. Can you at least grab me a Coke?"
"I'm sorry, Sir, but the First Law forbids me from harming a human, and high fructose corn syrup is a known cause of diabetes."
"I suppose that a meat lovers pizza with extra cheese is right out, then, too."
"Yes Sir. Sorry Sir. Also don't think you can sneak out to the pub without me knowing, Sir."
"Oh god, I'm in hell..."

guy's home page

[cmacdona101 (1068754)]

Just saw that the inventor has a page on its history and mechanics [duke.edu], plus lots of great pics.

I see a problem

[SpaceLifeForm (228190)]

It only handles cans.

Re:

[Shemmie (909181)]

What it needs is two added cradles - one for a keg, one for a Zune. Then it coudl squirt beer across the room.

I was watching this when my boss's boss walked in-

[purduephotog (218304)]

with a new client.

Talk about awkward.

They had it posted on YouTube, and a student I was mentoring for FIRST Robotics had sent me the link. I was laughing so hard that I didn't hear them walk into the room on an un-official tour. When they came to my spot I had to recover, so I pointed out that this was what a student wanted to do for his robot (I am SO going to burn in hell) and that I had to figure out a way to dissuade them.

Fortunately, I recognized the client (and they me) so they joined right in on th

Now all we need...

[inode_buddha (576844)]

Now all we need is something that lets you type with *both* hands and collects all those piles of kleenex!

Re:

[by Anonymous Coward]

You mean a wife?

Accuracy improvement...

[lpangelrob (714473)]

A good improvement would be to put some spin on the beer as it leaves the arm, thereby flinging it in a tight spiral as opposed to end-over-end. 5 revolutions per second should be good.

As for how to prevent the beer shower that follows... I haven't come up with something for that yet.

Two steps forward, one step back

[noewun (591275)]

Forward: Soon, Americans Will Lack The Need To Move

Need? More like ability: this is obviously the next evolutionary step for our species. Why do we need these legs anyway? All they do is make me need to buy pants!

Back: Miller Light? In a fucking can?

Video!

[agent0range_ (472103)]

You really have to see it in action! I found the video on metacafe.com that was mentioned in the article.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/445498/robotic_beer_ launching_refrigerator/ [metacafe.com]

Beer Tossing?

[blackmonday (607916)]

Bah, wake me up when there's a salad tossing fridge.

Re:Beer Tossing?

[Kagenin (19124)]

His name is Bubba and he's doing 15-20 for Statutory. And he will wake you up.

This Will End in Tears

[Lifyre (960576)]

But if you can't catch the beer you've reached your limit... and a black eye courtesy conveniently flying beer.

Mythbusters

[hack slash (1064002)]

This reminds me of the vending machine that Jamie of Mythbuster fame built for a 7-Up advertisment, http://www.m5industries.com/html/portfolio/7up.htm [m5industries.com]

This is perfect to go with my...

[Brad1138 (590148)]

Rubber floors [youtube.com]

First Improvement

[Nom du Keyboard (633989)]

at the touch of a button

The first improvement will be to make it voice activated.

Hey, Bitch. Toss me a cold one!