...if you catch it with as minimal impact as possible (use your hands/arms as a shock absorber), foam would be minimal.
That would require actual effort to lift your arms. Personally, I like a simpler solution: just move the fridge closer to the chair (or vice versa). Certainly not as "cool" (pun intended), but reduces points of failure from such a contraption (and maybe reduced injury from a misaligned can hitting you in your drunk noggin )
"3/06/07: I have decided that there might be a large enough interest to produce a limited number of beer launching fridges. If I were to manufacture them I would have all of the parts professionally machined for a much cleaner look (although it would still have exposed motors, gears, etc). The price would be around $1500, although the launcher would have a few improvements."
wow its a smart idea but u would think americans were fat already now there to lazy to get up off there asses and get a drink, they have 2 get a machine to do it 4 them