What is it?

Caffeine is the 1970-era soda machine that we brought into the internet age.  From its almost destroyed state, we resurrected it into a gleaming step into the future.  A future full of chrome and the ability to track how many calories you were guzzling.

What did you do?

Well, we took the machine (originally a Dr. Pepper machine) and retrofitted it.  We installed new controllers for the solenoid mechanisms and hooked up a computer into the front panel.  We also added tracking sensors.  I also had the rare opportunity to inhale a large amount of leaded paint dust before realizing such.  When you blow your nose and it comes out grey, that’s good, right?

What was the result?

A glistening new soda machine that currently dispenses the coldest soda on campus (thanks Freon!).  We were hoping to have our soda delivery robot done in time, but it never was finished (sadly).

Sounds awesome, is it still working?

Yup!  Head over to http://caffeine.acm.uiuc.edu/ and check it out.