Rancilio's Silvia espresso machine gets hacked via the Arduino and Wii nunchuk

If you're both a coffee- and gadget-freak, this project by DIY'er Tim Hirzel will probably be a notably inspiring hack. By combining a fancy-pants Rancilio Silvia espresso machine, the multi-purpose Arduino micro-controller, a Wii nunchuk, and some seriously high-level hacking, Tim has created a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. The typically straight-up espresso maker is now controlled electronically, allowing integration of a calendar, sleep timer, wake-up alarm, and temperature regulation. The system also allows a user to time its functions (to get that perfect cup of espresso), and the nunchuk can be used to alter settings on the unit. Be sure and take a look at the video after the break to see this mod in action.

[Thanks, Russ]

[Les @ Apr 21st 2008 12:13AM]

no reason what so ever to add the nunchuck in there. But definately gets "why the hell not" points

[webon @ Apr 21st 2008 12:19AM]

Haks0rs 4 the win

but why use a nunchuck instead of a regular dial pad, I mean you can't "order" your espressi from your bed, cuz the nunchuk is stuck to the machine, dont get me wrong, theres a lotta respect 4 yous from this side but can you try to hack the wiimote instead?

yes I'm lazy

[palmmann @ Apr 21st 2008 12:27AM]

this was on hackaday forever ago...

pretty cool, but some simple buttons would imo work better.

[mushrooshi @ Apr 21st 2008 12:43AM]

Ill just live life and enjoy it, and just see whats at the end of the tunnel when I finally meet it.

[UKNigel @ Apr 21st 2008 1:06AM]

Pretty deep and profound to be sure, but somehow I don't see the relationship between your comment and the article.

[mushrooshi @ Apr 21st 2008 2:12AM]

Yea, I meant to post this on a forum, I put here by accident.

[Azayzel @ Apr 21st 2008 1:17AM]

Cool idea, I agree. Yet there was no real reason for the Wii-chuck excpet to simply say he used it. Why not integrate something wireless, like a Class 1 Bluetooth controller you can use anywhere in your home? You could probably, more than likely considering their know-how, hook up a LCD screen on the controller and do it all from bed!

Sweet concept!

[Thirteenburn @ Apr 21st 2008 1:46AM]

Uh, I'm not so sure that this is worth the time, especially when you consider that most people who crave coffee in the morning, aren't morning people to begin with, hence, want something a bit more user friendly, such as, oh I don't know, an ON/OFF switch?

Duh...

[Brentt @ Apr 21st 2008 2:09PM]

...most professional espresso machines take an hour or so to warm up all metal to the desired temperature... for this reason, PID-mods with timers are really useful :D

[The Cadet @ Apr 21st 2008 1:46AM]

Wow!

[Paul Hildebrandt @ Apr 21st 2008 2:04AM]

Nice Movie! Great presentation of your hack!

[Zorque @ Apr 21st 2008 2:09AM]

I'm not sure I'd want to fiddle around with an analog stick just to get a cup of coffee.

[OneLove @ Apr 21st 2008 11:00AM]

thats why YOU didn't do it. :/

[Ronald McD @ Apr 21st 2008 2:14AM]

Rancilio Silvias with computer mods are actually not uncommon.

[ethana2 @ Apr 21st 2008 2:15AM]

Just get the machine on the network like a printer. If it still requires any human interaction to function, it has not attained perfection.

[Bloob @ Apr 21st 2008 2:33AM]

I think this is a valid question: Can it play Doom?

[The Cadet @ Apr 21st 2008 5:05AM]

What the hell is wrong with you?

[OneLove @ Apr 21st 2008 11:03AM]

bloob goes to funerals and says that: "grandpa's dead"..."I know, but can he...".

[vanessajcarpenter @ Apr 21st 2008 3:36AM]

That's simply beautiful. Very nice work. :D Espresso and Arduino. Who would have thought? :D

[y3k.nik @ Apr 21st 2008 3:40AM]

The thing doesnst have a strap. I am not going anywhere near it lest I decide to fling it at my TV.

[Esat Dedezade @ Apr 21st 2008 4:56AM]

You use a strap for the nunchuck?

[Richard Lai @ Apr 21st 2008 11:09AM]

Here's an idea: have a nunchuk to control the toilet roll with its stick, and flushing the toilet with the trigger.

[scot @ Apr 21st 2008 11:23AM]

Yay Rancilio Silvia! I used to have one, with a PID installed (by me). Great unit, but I decided plumbed was better but wow thats some serious work for that little workhorse.

[Brentt @ Apr 21st 2008 2:16PM]

...lol, he's pulling a shot of water at the end of that clip... not even a shot of espresso??? come onnnnn