The end of the Barista

[afton]

http://coffeegeek.com/opinions/georgesabados/12-27-2006

Interesting article, while I dont think the best super auto isnt
going to beat human soon, it might happen in say, 20 years from now.

Thoughts?

[Kelrizzo]

Re: The end of the Barista

Im discovering that there is so much more to the art of the bean then just making cookie cutter cups of latte filled with chocolate chunks and whipped cream. I say it like that because those are the people that will drive the success of this machine. Our local Starbucks uses a machine like this, and its not even close to being a great cup of bean. It will do in a pinch, but given the choice, I will go to the barista every time.

[recurve_boy]

Re: The end of the Barista

http://coffeegeek.com/opinions/georgesabados/12-27-2006

Interesting article, while I dont think the best super auto isnt
going to beat human soon, it might happen in say, 20 years from now.

Thoughts?

I think we can easily beat a human. All depends on how much money you want to spend to build this machine.

[boingk]

Re: The end of the Barista

Making a subjective experience with objective technology just doesnt cut it. Variations on a person-by-person basis cant be done that well by a machine...not yet. How the hell does a machine know that I like my coffee slightly over-bitter and fairly strong, machiato or cuppucino [the latter a double-shot], with a moderate-high dusting of drinking chocolate or cinnamon? And if it were to be able to take orders, how would I articulate that to it in criteria it could meet?

That is pretty much why I am my own barista - I can make a coffee just how I like it, right here in my own home [single-room uni lodging]. Add to that I actually enjoy the process of doing this and I think its a no-brainer that autonomous coffee will likely never become the norm.

Cheers - boingk