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Wine News
by Carol Bancroft on December 18, 2007
OK, it's not quite that simple. There's not really an army of thirsty sommelier robots invading your favorite liquor store. (Although I find that image rather amusing.) The robot was designed by a team from Mie University and NEC System Technologies Ltd. A Yahoo tech article explains how it works:
Sensors in his robo-hands measure the absorption of infrared light, which the robot then analyzes to determine the variety of grapes used to make the wine, as each grape variety absorbs light differently. In other words, the little robot can distinguish Cabernet from Merlot (or a blend of both) just by dipping his finger into it.I'm not sure what the practical uses for this kind of robot are, though I find the idea very interesting. I think there are too many nuances in a bottle of wine to rely on robotic tastebuds. But maybe when I finally get my hovercar...
His talents also extend to examining the amount of sugar in the glass to determine how sweet the wine will be. Oddly, he can also identify varieties of cheese and tell how ripe an apple is just by touching it.
Permalink: Who Needs Robert Parker...
Trackback: http://publish.creative-weblogging.com/publish/mt-tb.pl/107202
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Vote for Who Needs Robert Parker...:
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Rating: 9.00 out of 3 vote(s) cast.
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Response from:
Erika
(12/18/07 7:03am)
Wow! Curious to see how that thing gets used. Possibilities are endless... muahaha.
Response from:
1WineDude
(12/18/07 7:46am)
I'd *love* to have one of these at a blind tasting party... though after several glasses with my friends, I'd fear for the poor little guy's life!
Response from:
Amy
(12/18/07 4:45pm)
I'd worry that he'd become the coolest person at the party. It would be nice to verify what else might be lurking in that california pinot... Can he blog?
Response from:
1WineDude
(12/18/07 7:22pm)
At one of my parties, he's got a good shot at being in the Top 5 coolest attendees, no question.
If he can blog, then I'm *really* screwed...
If he can blog, then I'm *really* screwed...
Response from:
Wine Scamp
(12/18/07 7:35pm)
I am simultaneously attracted and repulsed. Kind of want one, kind of want to wonder what the world is coming to?
Huh. More pondering necessary...
Huh. More pondering necessary...
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