Scientists from Skolkovo have developed a device that can determine the quality of food based on its smell and predict how long it will remain edible.
The device uses specialized sensors and is based on the functioning principle of the olfactory system of living organisms. The sensors capture data about the smell, which is then processed using neural networks and machine learning. This allows the device to identify a wide range of different odors.
Fedor Fedorov, Senior Researcher at the Center for Photonics and Quantum Materials at Skoltech, explained to “Izvestia” how the device works. The noses of mammals function as sensitive sensors that process signals in various combinations. The artificial intelligence in the device can detect differences in these signal combinations.
The device has already been tested on meat and bananas. During testing, the scientists recorded the odors present at different stages of the food’s lifecycle. These data were then used to train the program.
Additionally, the scientists identified key points that indicate irreversible processes in food. This information allows the device to predict when the food will become unfit for consumption.
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