I'm sorry, but pushing a button on a fully automatic espresso machine does not make the robot a barista. I'd like to see the robot make me an espresso using a semi-automatic espresso machine, making sure to sample the espresso throughout the day to check for over or under extraction, and adjusting the grind to compensate for changes in air pressure and temperature.
> making sure to sample the espresso throughout the day to check for over or under extraction, and adjusting the grind to compensate for changes in air pressure and temperature.
Sounds like the perfect job for a computer. I highly doubt most baristas are checking atmospheric pressure or are even mindful of minute temperature charges throughout the day. Since these aspects are things that are monitor-able at high precision, it’s doubtful that your average barista is going to outperform a computer. The social aspects of the barista are a worthwhile, but unrelated debate.
Sorry I didn't word it well. I'm not suggesting the baristas are contemplating the temperature and air pressure, but rather those things will affect an espresso shot and the level of extraction, and thus the barista will need to test the espresso throughout the day to determine if it is pulling differently (more/less extraction resulting in sour or bitter notes) in the afternoon compared to the morning due to weather changes. So I don't think it was unrelated debate.
While there are some limits to what people consider good and or acceptable, a lot of taste is more of a consensus thing among people rather than something empirical. To use a pun, it’s up to people’s taste and that’s ill defined.
Sounds to me like this robot is a barista. Do you also think Starbucks baristas aren't baristas, just because they don't work in a high-end coffeeshop?
And then there's the (albeit brief) interaction. Sometimes a barista is someone you get to know, who knows exactly what your order is, and begins preparing it as they see you walking down the street toward their shop.
They are someone with whom you can have a strong acquaintance as you talk of small things. Sometimes these acquaintances become friendships...
I would never go a cafe to see a robot press a button. If I only wanted coffee I'd get a nespresso or similar (which are never as good in my experience).
Would a robot know to suggest you to occasionally try a different roast? Would a robot know to NOT suggest you try a different roast?
