[ANN] Bitcoin/Litecoin Soda Machine Project v0.4

[hendo420]

Check out the video of Bitcoin Soda Machine v0.1 in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSEEkrJ1qDQ

Update
Check out the video of Bitcoin/Litecoin Soda Machine v0.2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U51zvo-HOdg

Now all I need to do is wire up a relay from the Pi to the soda machine and attach my 7" LCD to the soda machine.  

Once I have a working prototype I can build them for people for a price. It would be a plug and play set up.
PM me if you are interested in reserving a spot in line when I start cranking them out.  No preorders, no money exchanged until I'm ready to ship. (This is subject to change if I get swamped and have to hire workers)  

It should work on any soda machine or vending machine that uses dixie-narco or coinco changers, with an 8pin connector, which is almost all of them. If you have a soda machine that is different PM me and I can make something custom.









My first thought was using a Raspberry Pi for the in/out pins and the easiness to add that to python scripts.

The QR code is static but I plan to add a dynamic QR code in the future that will include the current price per soda in the QR code.

It currently gets data from MTgox and a Bitcoin wallet running on one of my mining rigs, and BTC-e and a Litecoin wallet running on the same mining rig.

It looks for 0 confirm transactions and when a transaction comes in that meets or exceeds the price per soda it vends a soda.

I have done my research and have my own vending machine. All I have to do is install a relay to send 120v ac to one of the pins coming from the coin changer and it will dispense a soda.

I have a 7" LCD on its way from amazon that will be my display for the soda machine. It will display exactly what is in the white box in the video.

Let me know what you guys think, I would love some input.

The Relay, LCD, and mini wireless keyboard mouse will all be here Tuesday or Wednesday. I should have the soda machine working shortly after that.

[hendo420]

I have another project that I will start once the soda machine is fully functional.

My plan is to take a dollar bill changer, like the ones at the laundromat, and remove the coin mechanism. I have one, its a small unit that holds about $100 in quarters. I will install a thermal printer and a Pi and I will make it print out a paper wallet whenever a $1 is inserted. Accounting for current spot price on an exchange of course.

I will then install that next to my soda machine. This will allow people to reload on bitcoins to spend at the soda machine.

I will also consider selling units like this, but I will have to find a supplier of cheap dollar bill changers.

[Authentic]

Looks interesting. Bitcoin is getting more and more widely known - and more and more merchants will want to accept them, including these of course
Good luck!

[hendo420]

Updated to version 0.2

Combined the BTC and the LTC soda machine
Cleaned up the code

The program now polls Btc-e for the BTC/LTC price by default instead of Mtgox

[hendo420]

Updated to v0.3

Added dynamic QR codes, they now change to include the current price of a soda. Now all you have to do is scan the qr code and hit send on your phone. Simple.

[hendo420]

Relay/monitor is all set up. Program runs flawlessly. All that is needed now is to install in the soda machine. That may be tomorow if I get time. I'm buying a 2nd soda machine and have to drive 2 hours to go pick it up tomorrow. lol

[hendo420]

It is complete. Check out the video.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DR79AkgPZA


http://bitcoinsodamachine.com

[fendlestick]

I have a 3g phone, how long would you say it will take from scanning the code and sending the coins to getting the can? Like a total time from start to finish. And can you expand the tech to any vending machine, like chocolate, nappies, condoms that sort of thing?

[Wubbllez]

very very interesting. Will you Open the Source?

[hendo420]

I have a 3g phone, how long would you say it will take from scanning the code and sending the coins to getting the can? Like a total time from start to finish. And can you expand the tech to any vending machine, like chocolate, nappies, condoms that sort of thing?

most of the time its 10-30 seconds but if there are alot of purchases really fast it can take up to a minute. It is just looking for 0 confirm notification.

Any vending machine that takes a coinco coin validator, it currently works for the 120v AC units but I just bought a newer soda machine with a 24v DC system and will be making it work for that too. The more advanced vending machines where you can deposit variable amounts of money for items that cost different prices may not work, but if I had one of these machines I could make it work.

[hendo420]

very very interesting. Will you Open the Source?

Probably not immediately. Once I have a business around it I may release this version 0.3 to the public as I will surely do many many updates.

[miffman]

This is very impressive! I'd love to see these all around some day 

[Hilux74]

This is awesome.  It is a great demonstration of idea to functioning prototype AND it is actually a great idea for promoting the use of bitcoin/litecoin.

[Walter Rothbard]

Fantastic work.  I wonder how long it will be till the guy who runs the local ice house in my town would be willing to use this.

[viriat0]

Great Work !! Congrats!

[alex0909]

Awesome, quite fast ! 

[hendo420]

If anyone is in the midwest and wants to come buy a soda for posterity's sake the soda machine is located at.

1506 w. State st.
Jacksonville, IL 62650

[Bfljosh]

Why soda?

Soda is unhealty. Let's break corporate greed.

[Walter Rothbard]

Why soda?

Soda is unhealty. Let's break corporate greed.

I'm not sure the connection between your second and third sentences.

"Greed" is just a disrespectful label anyway.

[hendo420]

v0.4 is complete.

It now emails me when a soda is sold, It emails me on power failure, and it emails me a daily report.





In v0.5 I hope to implement a web admin panel.