Researchers at the NEC System Technologies and Mie University, Japan, have designed a robot that can taste and identify different foods and wines:
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.
Apparently, humans taste like bacon:
Some of the mistakes it makes would get a human sommelier fired — or worse.
When a reporter's hand was placed against the robot's taste sensor, it was identified as prosciutto. A cameraman was mistaken for bacon.
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In case anyone's wondering what I eat, I'm a vegetarian. But I find this sort of thing fascinating nonetheless, and won't try to force anyone to change their diet on my account.