The Latest from German Scholarship

Oktoberfest may be winding down, but there's still beer news out of Germany. The New Scientist reports:

A beer mat that knows when a glass is nearly empty and automatically asks for a refill has been created by thirsty researchers in Germany.

Andreas Butz at the University of Munich and Michael Schmitz from Saarland University came up with the idea while out drinking with their students.

The disc-shaped mat can be attached to a normal beer mat so that it still soaks up spilt liquid and displays an advertisement. But it also contains a pressure sensor and radio transmitter to alert bar staff of the need for a refill.

Isn't that wonderful? You don't even have to go to the trouble of getting the bartender's attention. He's already there asking if you want a refill. Just what we need -- more efficient inebriation.

But there are other potential uses.

[The "scientists"] say the mat could also be used for interactive TV events, as it contains an accelerometer capable of sensing when it is being waved in the air.... [P]ay-TV companies who broadcast soccer games are desperately looking for ways to make TV an interactive experience. Betting on actual sports events with the mat could add such interactivity.

The researchers believe the smart mat could even be used in pub games...

Of course, there are some bugs to be worked out.

The device weighs 110 grams and costs $100 to make, but Butz and Schmitz think the weight and cost would shrink if the mat were to be mass-produced.

Oh, I bet at that price they'll be selling like hotcakes.

Still, the discovery opens the way for lots of exciting future research. One "scientist" says,

One important direction which needs further investigation is the large body of drinking games which has developed in certain cultures and how they can be supported using our beer mat.

I'd like to see that grant proposal.

Read it here.