Controller for a Robotic Coffee Shop System
The challenge
I-Retail has a history of needing to manage low-level processes in their kiosks. A previous attempt involved a modular system with different functionality boards, all built on the same form factor and stacked like a sandwich. While this approach offered versatility, it didn’t gain widespread adoption.
I-Retail’s latest innovation is a robotic coffee shop, which is essentially a self-service kiosk but with a robotic arm serving customers. This project presents similar control challenges.
I-Retail prioritizes speed of development, reliability, and ease of maintenance. These factors are critical for successful deployment of their new robotic coffee shop.
I-Retail’s latest innovation is a robotic coffee shop, which is essentially a self-service kiosk but with a robotic arm serving customers. This project presents similar control challenges.
I-Retail prioritizes speed of development, reliability, and ease of maintenance. These factors are critical for successful deployment of their new robotic coffee shop.
The solution
This time, for the controller design, we adopted a shield-board concept instead of modularity. On a standard microcontroller board, we installed a 2-layer shield via pin headers. This shield houses all components that are not directly related to the microcontroller, essentially a peripheral board. This approach significantly speeds up development, and interchangeability and repairability are excellent.
The resulting controller manages two types of robotic arms, two types of dispensers, lighting, and elevators. We are currently developing ice dispensing from an ice generator and other actuators, which will also be controlled by this controller.
The resulting controller manages two types of robotic arms, two types of dispensers, lighting, and elevators. We are currently developing ice dispensing from an ice generator and other actuators, which will also be controlled by this controller.
Result
The product is now available on the market. Sales have started, and deliveries will be made within the next few months.
