Skip to main content

This smart cocktail shaker not only knows what to mix, it measures as you pour

b4rm4n barman smart cocktail shaker kickstarter screen shot 2014 10 28 at 11 15 43 am
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Mixing a good cocktail is an exercise in both art and science, and if you could use a little help with the science part of it, there’s a new gizmo up on Kickstarter that you should definitely check out.

The B4RM4N, as it’s called, is a sensor-studded three-piece cocktail shaker that aims to streamline the process of mixing drinks. Under the hood, it’s equipped with a high-precision weight sensor, a set of accelerometers, and a Bluetooth radio that allows it to relay data to your smartphone. With the help of an accompanying smartphone app, the shaker can tap into a drink database to fetch recipes, and then guide you through the mixing procedure step by step.

Recommended Videos

Once you’ve connected the B4RM4N to your phone, you simply fire up the app and select the cocktail you’d like to make. As you pour booze into the shaker, the onboard weight sensor will determine in real time how much you’ve poured, and let you know when to stop with a colored LED indicator light. No messing with jiggers or other measuring gear; the B4RM4N takes care of all that for you.

Now in all fairness, this definitely isn’t the first app-enabled drink-mixing aid we’ve ever encountered. Dozens of people have taken a stab at the same idea, but as far as we can tell, the B4RM4N is the first device of its kind that incorporates all the weighing and sensing tech directly into a mixing vessel. It’s also got built-in accelerometers that can tell you when to stop shaking — a feature you definitely won’t find in a standalone mixing scale.

RelatedBarobot is the hackable automated bartender you never have to tip

B4RM4N’s creators are hoping to raise $100K through Kickstater to help jumpstart production of the device, and if you back the project now during the early stages, you can nab yourself a B4RM4N for anywhere from $89 to $159. Find out more here.

Drew Prindle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
This smart display alternative can now use AI to plan all your meals
The Skylight Cal Max installed on a wall.

Skylight is a smart home company that produces a variety of smart display alternatives, such as the Skylight Cal Max. These serve as a central hub for all your daily planning -- they’re primarily used as a digital calendar, but you can also use them to track chores, make lists, or meal prep. That last aspect just became much more exciting, as Skylight is officially introducing Sidekick, an AI-powered assistant that can plan all your meals in just a few minutes.

Sidekick is a new AI feature for Skylight devices. It’s capable of generating personalized recipes based on your budget, family size, and dietary restrictions, and it’ll even create a shopping list and load up step-by-step cooking instructions. Skylight hopes the new feature will save families 10 hours every month, as they’ll no longer need to worry about the logistics surrounding meal prep.

Read more
Get cleaner air for less with the Dyson Purifier Humidity+Cool for $200 off
The Dyson Purifier Humidity+Cool on a white background.

It’s easy to not think about the air around you. After all, it’s invisible, right? But good air quality makes a huge difference to your quality of life. Right now, you can buy the Dyson Purifier Humidity+Cool for $200 off at Walmart. Normally costing $1,000, it’s down to $800 today and it’s ideal for keeping your living space cool, as well as providing purified air. Here’s all you need to know.

Why you should buy the Dyson Purifier Humidity+Cool
Responsible for some of the best humidifiers out there, Dyson knows how to provide everything you want. With the Dyson Purifier Humidity+Cool, it automatically senses, captures, and traps pollutants so you gain cleaner air with no hassle or requirement to do a thing. It’s able to detect and destroy formaldehyde as well as many other pollutants so you’re in safe hands.

Read more
Smarten up your holiday scene with the Govee Icicle Lights
The Govee Icicle Lights.

Keen to make your home this holiday season look fantastic? If you’re aiming for a National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation style appearance but want it smarter, you need more than just the Philips Hue deals going on. Right now, you can buy the Govee Icicle Lights set for just $90 at Best Buy so you’re saving $50 off the regular price of $140. They make the outside of your home look gorgeous while being super practical. Here’s all you need to know before you buy.

Why you should buy the Govee Icicle Lights
I love Govee products. Since buying the Govee Lyra Smart Floor Lamp, I’ve been consistently impressed by how well its products work while being very keenly priced. It’s a different kind of technology than the best cheap smart light bulbs but it’s perfect for stringing together some lights around your home or room. The only downside is the company's app isn't as stylish as the Hue one but you get all the same benefits for a much better price.

Read more