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Soda machine controlled by iPhone app


Recent MIT comp sci grad Chris Varenhorst found a cheap soda machine on Craigslist a while back, and he decided to do what any self-respecting computer science student would do nowadays: hook it up to the Internet. He created wiring to make the machine believe it had credits whenever a circuit was connected, and then wired that to an Internet service. He also created an iPhone app that sent messages to the server, so he could press a button from anywhere and make the machine dispense a cold drink.

Unfortunately, he says he would sometimes press the button while out and about, and come back to his apartment to find a warm beer sitting in the machine. He's graduated now and moving out, so Varenhorst and his roommates decided to sell the machine on eBay, with part of the funds going to charity. It sold for just $76 (not too surprising -- who really needs a soda machine sitting around their house?), but the project itself is very cool.

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Recent MIT comp sci grad Chris Varenhorst found a cheap soda machine on Craigslist a while back, and he decided to do what any...
 

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Henry

JESS KIM IS IN THIS VIDEO!!!! I LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 25 2010 at 7:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Reid

RIT's Computer Science House has had a Coke machine on the internet since at least 1995 (oldest written evidence I can find) although I know it was already hooked up in '89 when I was touring the school.

http://www.csh.rit.edu/
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/csh-coke-machine-info/

//Ray

May 24 2010 at 4:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Galley

*Drink

/South Carolina

May 24 2010 at 8:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Vaginitis

*soda

anyone who drinks that stuff regularly should evaluate their health. In addition, instead of rehydrating you, it does the opposite. Millions of people drink it over water becase they don't like the taste. Look at the US; heavily populated with people who "suffer" from obisity. The fact is, water doesn't taste good out of the tap. A majority of the bottled water or purified water doesn't taste good. Filters for you tap don't work to the extent. Reverse Osmosis water lacks substance and doesn't taste that great either. The best waters in my opinion are Fiji, Evion, Voss. The issue with plastic bottles is decreased when you buy products that use recycled plastic.
That being said, we're all doomed becase we live in a society of wallmart shopping sheeple blindly under control.

Have a nice day

May 24 2010 at 2:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Vaginitis's comment
jeanlerymg

As vending machines had widen, the release of its several types had now spread to all the country. One of it was the Soda machine which is popularly use by people who want to buy soda and other stuff. Moreover, drinking too much of those regularly is not good from obesity and health destruction, we should keep our health safe.

May 28 2010 at 3:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kyle Derouen

*coke

/south

May 23 2010 at 9:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
delphinus87

*Pop

/Midwest

May 23 2010 at 8:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PSM

This is how public vending machines should be. No more worrying that your dollar is too worn out, or it's in "exact change only" mode, or the coin slot is broken and rejects all your dimes. Just push a button on your iPhone to authorize your credit card to be charged for the soda, Snickers or whatever.

May 23 2010 at 7:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
5 replies to PSM's comment
Greg

Hmm modify it a bit more to dispense a drink down a path so you don't have to get out of your chair. Beer without standing up? Yes please.

May 23 2010 at 7:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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