New Robot Identifies Wines And Other Delicacies.

Yet another excellent development from the Land of The Rising Sun.

Researchers at NEC System Technologies and Mie University have
designed a robot that can taste - an electromechanical sommelier
able to identify dozens of different wines, cheeses and hors d'oeuvres.

At the end of the robot's left arm is an infrared spectrometer.
When objects are placed up against the sensor, the robot fires off a
beam of infrared light. The reflected light is then analyzed in real
time to determine the object's chemical composition.

"All foods have a unique fingerprint," Shimazu said.
"The robot uses that data to identify what it is inspecting right there
on the spot."

When it has identified a wine, the robot speaks up in a childlike voice.
It names the brand and adds a comment or two on the taste, such as
whether it is a buttery chardonnay or a full-bodied shiraz, and what
kind of foods might go well on the side.


SOURCE:
Physorg.com

I can see quite a few markets for this robot given tha it's for
mass produced.

I'd definately buy one.


Comments, Opinions?

A robot will never replace the delicate instrument of the human tounge. There are a mutitude of tastes and substances in wines and food, and many characteristics a machine could not possibly identify.

Originally posted by Skadi_the_Evil_Elf
A robot will never replace the delicate instrument of the human tounge. There are a mutitude of tastes and substances in wines and food, and many characteristics a machine could not possibly identify.

True, but not all restaurants can afford to hire a full time expert consieur
(probably butchered that word), so this robot would be the next best
thing to tell the patrons facts about the particular wines being served.

And really, having a robot do that, there will eb people who think it's
amazing, and will want to see it just because it's weird and wonderful
to them.