If you’re always wondering how many carbs or calories are in what you’re eating, then this gadget is for you. French startup, DietSensor, unveiled a pocket-sized, Bluetooth-connected molecular sensor called SCiO at CES this year.
The gadget uses near-infrared spectroscopy, the analysis of how molecules interact with light, to conclude the chemical makeup of certain foods or beverages. While this may seem a little too ideal especially for dieters, the tool is targeted at those with conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular diseases who need to keep a close eye on everything they ingest.
To use the SCiO scanner, you simply hold it over a piece of food, click the button once, and then a corresponding app reveals the fat content, carbs, and any related tips such as you shouldn’t exceed more than 54 grams of this type of product a day. The data is then added to a heath profile that shows a progress of your daily food intake.
Creators, Remy and Astrid Bonnasse, imagined the concept in 2014 when their 9-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, requiring her to monitor carbohydrate intake of each meal and measure insulin levels. The two developed a nutrition coaching app and partnered with Israeli company Consumer Physics to automate the process and incorporate spectroscopy into SCiO. And while this method has been adapted previously in science labs, DietSensor is the first to bring it to a consumer tool.
The scanner is only able to read homogenous foods such as cheese, crackers, and bread, but the app does allow you to input more complex meals manually. It also works on homemade food, so you’re able to scan that piece of pie your friend made.
Priced at $249, the SCiO scanner is available for purchase; the corresponding app is free to download, but requires a monthly fee of $10.
Source: Mashable
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