IBM Designed a Coffee Drone So You Can Mainline Caffeine
That buzzing sound behind you at all times is just your Starbucks order.
Image: iStock
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s an iced triple shot with coconut milk and whipped cream!
Flying coffee could be the future, if IBM has its way. A new patent filed by the tech company outlines a drone that can deliver coffee to individuals and even detect when a caffeine boost might be needed, according to USA Today.
IBM envisions that the technology, if pursued, could be used in cafés, in offices, in bars and at events.
So how does it work? In theory, after users pre-order their coffee, the beverage robot would use facial recognition technology, an electronic ID or Bluetooth to find its target and execute the delivery.
It could even preempt the need to make a delivery by connecting to the wearable technology of us lowly humans. By tracking heart rate monitors, sleep reports and other biometric data, the drone could identify tired individuals and perk them up with a shot. Of espresso, that is.
Of course, not all items that receive a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The company notes that the publication of patents can be a way for researchers and developers to earn recognition for their work.
So, sadly, coffee-bearing drone slaves are still a ways off. There’s still reason to celebrate, though: there’s no risk of boiling-hot coffee falling on your head anytime soon.
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