Robotic Barista Not Worth The Brewhaha

Kerry Trueman February 22, 2008 | 2:47 pm EST

Meet Italy’s latest gift to civilization–Justine, the world’s first coffee-making robot. Justine is the brainchild of Naples University Professor Bruno Siciliano, who heads up a project called DEXMART, dedicated to creating “useful, two-armed robots,” as dvice.com reports.

Before you get all excited about the prospect of having your own personal R2D2-style barista whipping you up a perfectly frothed cappuccino with just a dash of cinnamon, though, there’s something you should know about Justine; she only knows how to make instant. So all you Starbucks baristas can relax, your jobs are safe. For now.

Learn more about the latest in robot research at robots.net.