You have spotted it at an LSU football tailgate or one of the arts festivals around Baton Rouge: a fully operational R2-D2 droid replica that not only lights up and makes all the classic R2-D2 sounds, but also dispenses beer from a keg housed within.
As 225 details in a feature from the current issue celebrating the magazine’s 10th anniversary, the robot is the creation of artist Barton Gilley, a 2008 fine arts graduate from LSU. While discussing tailgate ideas back in 2010, he and a friend had an idea: R2-D2, serving beer.
The idea of a drink-dispensing robot was the perfect excuse to build the replica, he says, adding that interactive art is always more fun.
“I wouldn’t have had a reason to build it if it didn’t perform a function people would enjoy,” Gilley says. “It would be a neat prop, but I think people would lose interest. It’s also the perfect size to hold a beer keg, so that just made sense.”
During the 2010 football season, the replica was just a Weber grill dome attached to a keg. Gilley continued to build on it, but the purple-and-gold R2-D2 had several mechanical issues. Gilley decided to build a new one in 2011. The new model was more durable, made out of hard plastics, fiberglass and other materials. It debuted at the Baton Rouge Mini Maker Faire that fall.
Since then, the blinking, beeping, mobile R2-D2 has garnered plenty of attention in the Capital City and surrounding regions. Gilley and his replica have made appearances at LSU tailgates, the Baton Rouge and New Orleans Mini Maker Faires, the 2015 Tin Roof tailgate party, the 2015 Pop! Smart Show at The Varsity and more.
The hands-free drink dispenser has become a favorite tailgating accessory, Gilley says. How it works is simple: Hold your cup up to the dispenser. A sensor will detect the cup and open the faucet.
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