Once in a while, technology leads us into places we never thought we would ever go. Right now, we’re exploring a robot bartender who can mix you a cocktail based on your personality type. If it sounds bonkers, it definitely is, but the science behind it has a great deal of potential when it comes to understanding the value of personal data. It could potentially give us insights into the psychology of how consumers make purchase decisions, and a whole lot more.

 

How it works

If you’re wondering how this robot knows about your charming personality, the information comes from Facebook (no Facebook account, no cocktailL). A group of German scientists developed the concept (called Social-Shot) and created a robot to do all the work. The robot analyses information on your Facebook page, compares it to an algorithm developed by the University of Cambridge and comes up with a personality profile based on your likes. Your personality profile includes specific personality traits that are connected to specific drink ingredients. It’s easy work for a robot….

Check out this short video clip on how it works:

If you had to think about your Facebook information now, what do you think your profile would say about your personality?

The scientific part

It all sounds so simple but it’s really quite complicated. 5 drink ingredients are linked to 5 personality traits (called the Big Five) from a popular psychology model that breaks down the human personality into 1) Neuroticism 2) extroversion 3) openness 4) agreeableness and 5) conscientiousness. The robot thenlooks at your profile vs the personality traits and allocates specific drink ingredients to each personality trait that pulls through. Your cocktail is mixed together combining all of these factors. According to the developers of Social-Shot, if you’re not very conscientious, you won’t get a great deal of vodka. If you’re a faithful person, you’re likely to get a hefty shot of vodka. Exactly how the algorithms work is the intellectual capital of the scientists who invented it…but it keeps us guessing.

What if you had a bit of fun with this concept?

If you’re keen for a bit of fun, why not come up with your own algorithm by choosing your own personality traits and cocktail ingredients. Organise a social event with your friends (you have to know the people you’re basing your cocktail on), think of their personalities, match it to your list of ingredients and come up with some fun and festive cocktail ideas. Name the different cocktails after your friends (if you dare) and have a ball entertaining everyone. #CreateYourOwnPartyGame

Bottoms up!

Cocktails can be alcoholic and non-alcoholic so there’s no end to the fun you can have with this idea. Technology teaches us something every day – about data, about ourselves and even about how to have more fun. Cheers to the future!

(Source, images and video via: http://social-shot.com/; http://www.techinsider.io/social-shot-is-a-mobile-robot-bartender-2015-10 and http://bit.ly/1NG8IO4)