Wine waiters may soon be replaced by artificial intelligence, as researchers have developed an “electronic tongue” capable of recognizing the taste of various liquids. This innovative device can distinguish between popular beverages like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, and even detect when milk has spoiled.
Utilizing electrodes to analyze liquids, the electronic tongue employs AI that mimics the brain’s neural network to identify and classify the substances it encounters. Experts believe this technology has the potential to assess the quality, freshness, and authenticity of both food and drink.
In trials conducted at Penn State University, the electronic tongue demonstrated an impressive 80% accuracy rate in its assessments. Researchers suggest that this AI technology could not only grade wine but also make recommendations based on its analysis.
Saptarshi Das, the study’s author, explained, “We’re trying to create an artificial tongue, but the way we experience different foods involves more than just the tongue itself. The tongue contains taste receptors that interact with food substances and transmit their information to the gustatory cortex—a biological neural network.”
As this technology advances, it may transform how we evaluate and select beverages, potentially enhancing the dining experience while streamlining service in restaurants and bars.
