The Food Tech News Show

Is Smell-O-Vision Ready for Primetime? - FTNS #6

This week, Mike and Carlos discuss the following stories: Osmo is trying to digitize the world of smells and use AI to finally help us create Smell-O-Vision [https://thespoon.tech/the-idea-of-smell-o-vision-has-been-around-for-over-a-century-ai-may-finally-make-it-work/] The company’s The Principal Odor Map (POM) created by Osmo’s model, outperformed human panelists in predicting the consensus scent of molecules, marking a significant advancement in olfactory science and demonstrating that AI can predict smells based on molecular structure better than individual human experts in many cases. How’d You Like a Nice Glass of 2D Printed Oat Milk? [https://thespoon.tech/milkadamia-howd-you-like-a-nice-glass-of-2d-printed-oat-milk/] This week, Milkadamia, known for its range of macadamia-based milks, announced its first oat milk. However, this isn’t just any oat milk; the company is introducing Flat Pack oat milk, which are printed sheets of plant-based milk that are designed to be rehydrated in water overnight or blended for an instant beverage. According to the company, these sheets are created by printing oat milk paste onto flat sheets using a proprietary 2D printing process. Each package contains eight of these lightweight sheets, reducing both packaging and weight. Anova Informs Community Its App Is Going Subscription, and It’s Not Going Well [https://thespoon.tech/sous-vide-specialist-anova-informs-community-its-app-is-going-subscription-and-its-not-going-well/] Last week, Anova CEO Steve Svajian announced that the company will begin charging a subscription fee for new users of its sous vide circulator app starting August 21st, 2024. However, existing users who have downloaded the app and created an account before this date will not be impacted by the change. These users will be grandfathered into free access to the app’s full features. Svajian explained that the decision to introduce a subscription fee stems from the fact that “each connected cook costs us money,” a cost that has become significant as the number of connected cooks now numbers in the “hundreds of millions.” The new Anova Sous Vide Subscription will be priced at $1.99 per month or $9.99 per year. Unsurprisingly, the news has sparked discontent among Anova users.  We’ve got a new humanoid robot that not only performs kung fu, but will also make a meal. [https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/chinas-humanoid-robot-cooks-plays-kung-fu] The S1 robot assistant is claimed to have unparalleled agility, dexterity, and accuracy, which help it perform all kinds of tasks. Launched by Stardust Intelligence, a Chinese company, the robot has a human-like upper body structure mounted on a wheeled base. In a video, the robot can be seen feeding cats and making waffles. Chick-fil-A Is Launching a Streaming Service. Yes, You Read That Right [https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/chick-fil-a-streaming-service-1236114065/] Extra sauces and some unscripted content, please. Chick-fil-A — yes, that Chick-fil-A — is looking to launch a streaming platform. The fast food chain has been working with Hollywood production companies and studios to create family-friendly, mostly unscripted original shows. The chicken house is also in talks to license and acquire content, according to a source that’s pitched a project. Find more episodes on The Spoon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Counting Your Calories With AI & Apple's Home Robot - FTNS #5

On this week's Food Tech News Show: * AI Wants to Count Your Calories * Apple’s Home Robot Comes Into Focus * Rivian Introduces a Travel Kitchen * Meet the new Tiny Dishwasher Called th $299 Capsule Solo If you haven't subscribed, you can do so here on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-food-tech-news-show/id1756948034], Spotify, [https://open.spotify.com/show/34kTIXoBhGK31EAbIGpzG6] or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Blackbird Launches Pay, DoorDash Delivers Big Numbers - FTNS #4

This week we’re excited to welcome Kristen Hawley, long-time restaurant tech journalist. This week's stories: * Blackbird Launches Blackbird Pay [https://www.fastcompany.com/91162243/restaurant-loyalty-program-blackbird-is-launching-payments-and-introducing-guest-value-scores] * Andrew Simmons Says His Pizza Automation Experiment has Come to an End [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7225029790376869888/] * DoorDash Sees Digital Orders Surge Despite Industry Headwinds [https://www.pymnts.com/earnings/2024/doordash-sees-digital-orders-surge-despite-industry-headwinds/] * Taco Bell and Other Yum Brands Going to Expand Voice AI to Hundreds of Locations in 2024 [https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731239498/en/Yum%21-Brands-to-Expand-Voice-AI-Technology-to-Hundreds-of-Taco-Bell-U.S.-Drive-Thru-Locations-in-2024-with-a-Future-Vision-to-Bring-the-Technology-to-Its-Brands%E2%80%99-Drive-Thrus-Around-the-World] * Amazon Gives a Peak Under Hood of Its New Just Walk Out AI Model [https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon/amazon-is-powering-its-just-walk-out-checkout-system-with-a-new-ai-model/] *  Le Petit Chef - The Immersive Dining Experience [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ5eXKB-2r8] Make sure to rate and review The Food Tech News Show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The Clock is Ticking on Amazon's Smart Kitchen Timer - FTNS #3

Today on the Food Tech News Show: * Beyond Meat launches a new product that is, for the first time, not trying to replicate meat. * Juicy Marbles Releases Product Complete With Edible Bones * Amazon is getting impatient with its “smart kitchen timer” * Virtual restaurant models seem to hit consumers as a form of purposeful deception *  New Food Delivery Robot that Travels To Your Place in the Bike Lane * All that and more on today's food tech news show! Subscribe and rate the Food Tech News Show in Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-food-tech-news-show/id1756948034], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/34kTIXoBhGK31EAbIGpzG6], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1756948034/the-food-tech-news-show] or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Gene Edited Tomatoes & Rethinking Robots Restaurants - FTNS #2

On this week's episode of the Food Tech News Show, longtime podcaster, former host of Marketplace, and all-around nice person Molly Wood joins Carlos and Mike to discuss the food tech stories of the week. On this week's episode, we talk about: * Tomatoes are thirsty crops. Here’s how CRISPR gene-editing could help them thrive with less water * Food recycler Mill unveils pilot study results * Meatly gets nod to sell cultivated meat in UK * Chipotle founder realizes he needs a few humans in the front of house * Google backed company launches AI startup to map the entirety of the world's farm land * And more! Tune in to The Spoon's new dedicated weekly food tech news show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]