Technology can go a long way towards keeping food fresher for longer, but it can also be used to check whether the food has passed its best-by date. We've seen plastics that indicate the freshness of food, and we've also covered food packaging that lets people know if it's still fresh. Now, a product called Peres aims to perform a similar task, but it does it with a sensor and a smartphone or tablet.
The Peres device is held by the user, over his or her food. Four sensors are included that monitor temperature, humidity, ammonia and volatile organic compounds in the air around the food, and that information is fed back to the user's smartphone via Bluetooth. Once it has the data, the app will display recommendations based on the freshness of the food.
The video below demonstrates the Peres system in use.
According to the creators, the sensors in Peres can detect over 100 different volatile organic compounds in food, and many of these are strong indicators of whether or not it is fresh and safe to eat.
The application that displays the data will be available on both iOS and Android. It will also support phones and tablets, which should open it up to wide range of potential users.
Peres is seeking funding on Indiegogo. It has already surpassed its US$50,000 goal with just over a week left in its funding period. Backers interested in getting a Peres of their own will be required to pledge a minimum of $120, with an expected delivery date this November.
The pitch video below provides some back story and information on the Peres system.
