Makr Shakr: Robotic Bar

Social experiment

Makr Shakr is an innovative social experiment: a robotic bar capable of preparing drinks based on crowd input. Robotic arms serve customers, who can customize their drinks or choose from pre-defined recipes via a mobile app. The system also tracks the popularity of each drink, displaying real-time data visualizations above the bar, including wait times and other relevant information. Makr Shakr can even refuse service when necessary, as it monitors consumption patterns and estimates each customer’s alcohol intake.

SuperUber developed the data visualization and creative technology, bridging design, code, and hardware. The project is a collaboration between MIT Senseable City Lab, Pentagram, SuperUber, and KUKA Robotics. The futuristic project premiered at Milan Design Week in 2013 and has since been presented at events around the world, including Google I/O in San Francisco.