Snoot is the two-part prototype detector that was designed to cleverly repurpose food before it goes to waste. The system includes a handheld sensor with a snout-like piece for sniffing out the gases released by decaying food, and then a mouth-shaped printer spits out a recipe suggestion.
This system helps to playfully provide reassurance that the scanned item is still perfectly good to eat, and it has the potential to change perceptions of food waste. The current prototype is only capable of detecting ethylene but future versions could integrate other modes of detection.
Northumbria University graduate Harriet Almond created Snoot as a fun and approachable way to tackle the issue of food waste. In the UK alone, it's estimated that 4.5 million tons of edible food is thrown away every year.
Food Waste Sensors
Snoot is a Two-Part System That Sniffs Gases from Decaying Food
Trend Themes
1. Food Waste Prevention - Creating innovative systems to detect and repurpose decaying food can help reduce the amount of edible food that goes to waste.
2. Smart Sensor Technology - Developing smart sensors that can detect gases released by decaying food, like Snoot's handheld sensor, has the potential to revolutionize the food industry.
3. Recipe Recommendation Systems - Software like Snoot's mouth-shaped printer that provides recipe suggestions based on the detected gases of decaying food could help in reducing food waste.
Industry Implications
1. Food Industry - Implementing Snoot's two-part prototype detector system can help reduce food waste, create sustainable practices, and save cost on ingredients.
2. Smart Home Technology - Integrating smart sensors like Snoot's handheld sensor into homes can help individuals become more aware of their food consumption and prevent wastage.
3. Retail Industry - Creating systems like Snoot's prototype detector system in grocery stores can help reduce food waste and create cost-effective opportunities to sell 'almost expired' items while ensuring food safety.