Cocktail vending machine seeks funding

A Kickstarter campaign is attempting to raise funds to launch an automated cocktail vending machine onto the market, which it claims will eliminate queues at bars.

The Foxtender Barmachine, invented by Young Fox, a company based in San Diego and founded by Matteo Benevento and Danilo Condello, produces cocktails automatically via a prepaid system.

According to its Kickstarter page, the Foxtender includes a refrigerator, “easy to pay” interface, cup dispenser and an ID system to ensure underage drinkers aren’t served alcoholic beverages. The device can supply up to 400 drinks, mixed in 16 seconds using pre-programmed measures, without human assistance.

Users can request an alcoholic beverage using a pre-paid wristband which they can tap on the Foxtender to authorise it to serve a drink. The system also includes a “stay safe” feature to prevent excessive drinking, which limits the number of cocktails per hour and per night for each person that uses it.

Introducing the device, its makers said: “We want to revolutionize the entertainment world, introducing a smart and social product. Foxtender is the first step toward this revolution, thanks to the many opportunities it can offer. It is not just efficient and innovative, it’s also smarter and it represents a more captivating management of drinks dispensing in general, not only alcoholic drinks. We have a lot of plans and ideas to be developed in the field of entertainment, for both kids and adults.”

Launched today, its Kickstarter campaign needs to raised  $260,000 by September 26. So far it has attracted $109 worth of funding from three backers.