Somabar

The Smart Bartender

Somabar is a Wi-Fi connected, robotic bartending appliance designed to bring the craft cocktail experience into the home kitchen. Originally launched as a highly successful Kickstarter [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/somabar/somabar-automated-craft-cocktail-appliance] campaign, it allows users to create professional-grade drinks in under 5 seconds.

The Problem

Traditional automated bartending systems were either bulky, inconsistent, or prohibitively expensive (often exceeding $4,000). Manual cocktail making, while rewarding, requires significant space for bottles, specialized tools, and precise measurements that are difficult to reproduce consistently.

Our Solution

OhmTech worked closely with Q Design to transform the initial prototype into a sophisticated, manufacturable product. We took ownership of the core electronics and software architecture, ensuring precision and reliability in Every pour.

The Engineering

We developed the main control board and firmware that powers the appliance:

• Embedded Linux (OpenWRT): A robust controller platform that handles Wi-Fi connectivity and communicates seamlessly with the iOS/Android mobile apps.
• Precision Fluid Control: We implemented the control logic for positive displacement pumps, ensuring “dead-on accuracy” for every ingredient.
• Power Management: An integrated 24V DC to AC inverter to manage 2 electrovalves and 9 AC pumps.
• 6-Channel NFC Transceiver: To support interchangeable “Soma Pods,” we engineered a custom multiplexed NFC system with 6 internal antennas to automatically identify ingredients and track inventory.
• Automated Maintenance: The system features an automated water flushing protocol to clean the internal lines between different cocktail recipes.