There's a Robotic Bartender at CES and Its Name is Somabar Of all the of the cool details in the Star Trek universe, our favorite is easily the replicator--a microwave-sized cutout in the wall that can create any dish, snack, or drink with a simple command. We may be a long way off from enjoying replicated meals, but at CES this year we had the chance to drink a margarita mixed by what might be the next-best thing. Somabar is a robotic bartender that was initially funded on Kickstarter last year. Since then, the device has been through several iterations (the one I used on the trade show floor being the most recent). It's roughly the size of a mini-fridge, but the rows of cylindrical booze/mixer pods lining its side make it look like something out of Blade Runner.

Mixing the perfect drink could soon be as easy as pushing a few buttons. A Los Angeles-based startup has launched the Somabar, a $430 robot bartender that can create simple mixed drinks selected by the user via the device's accompanying app. It could one day replace minibars in hotel rooms, help busy bartenders in restaurants or be used to mix drinks for airplane passengers. An LA-based startup has launched the Somabar (pictured), a robot bartender that can create mixed drinks selected by the user via the device's touchscreen or an accompanying app The Somabar is a futuristic robot bar that can mix drinks in 10 seconds or less. It's made of hardwood and plastic and can store up to six different Soma Pods, where users manually fill and remove air-tight containers of alcohol.