Cozmo, a small gunmetal-colored robot with treads, lifters, and a large LCD face sits on a platform in front of three white cubes.

Our barista: The Anki Cozmo (Collector's Edition)

Cozmo here can lift, pull, employ computer vision, and emote. He cannot, currently make a drink.

Project Abstract: Dozens and dozens of robots have been designed to make and serve a better beverage... so why not mine?

The Problems:

Cozmo's manipulators are designed to operate on his lightcubes and only his lightcubes. His lightcubes are lightweight, clearly marked, and notched so his lifter can slide underneath to operate them.

Coffee is heavy. Water is heavier. Coffee water is immensely hot and dangerous to consumer robotics like our little barista.


An Outline of Objectives:

  1. Cozmo must safely move from his charging station (on an elevated plane) to the ground level.
  2. Cozmo must safely move from the ground level to the elevated plane where the coffee machine rests.
  3. Cozmo must empty the used grounds from the machine (if any)
  4. Cozmo must fill the coffee machine with grounds.
  5. Cozmo must activate a mechanism to dispense hot water. Likely, a timer will deactivate it.
  6. Cozmo must transport the completed coffee safely to the ground level.
  7. Cozmo must transport the completed coffee safely from the ground level to the elevated plane where his charging station rests.

A lot of this will rely on factors for accessibility. Likely elevators and custom mechanisms to empty the basket's used grounds.

As work continues and time for documentation allows, this section will contain documentation of my efforts to build a better bot barista.