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I've always thought the killer healthcare app would be some sort of way to automatically track calorie and nutritional macro intake without manual data entry.

I've always thought the killer healthcare app would be some sort of way to automatically track calorie and nutritional macro intake without manual data entry. No idea how that would actually work, though.

leereeves 11y ago
Great idea. Perhaps an AI that recognizes what we eat from a cell phone photo and tracks nutrition. Sounds possible at least for prepackaged and restaurant/fast food.
- flashm 11y ago
  I'm pretty sure someone has just released something like this. A handheld scanner that will tell you the calories/macros for your plate of food. It was a one off cost of circa £150, then £15 or so a month ongoing. Apologies but can't be arsed to find the link on mobile.
  - leereeves 11y ago
    Was it this miniature near-infrared spectrometer? > The SCiO, a handheld "pocket molecular sensor" available now on Kickstarter, gives you the data on your food. http://www.fastcoexist.com/3030342/fund-this/this-tiny-device-fits-on-your-keychain-and-measures-the-calories-in-your-dinner http://www.fastcoexist.com/3030342/fund-this/this-tiny-devic... Also found this plate with 3 scales and cameras that uses object recognition algorithms to identify food: > This Smart Plate Tells You How Many Calories You're Eating—And Whether You're Eating Too Fast > The ultimate in portion control: a plate that yells at you. http://www.fastcoexist.com/3045810/world-changing-ideas/this-smart-plate-tells-you-how-many-calories-youre-eating-and-whether-y http://www.fastcoexist.com/3045810/world-changing-ideas/this...
- aledalgrande 11y ago
  I doubt it would be feasible: 1) food appearance gets changed a lot when cooked and plated 2) a photo would not be enough to recover the volume of food in metric scale
  - leereeves 11y ago
    Good points, but did you miss the discussion nearby? It seems someone already made a plate with cameras with object recognition to identify food and 3 scales to determine the volume. > http://www.fastcoexist.com/3045810/world-changing-ideas/this-smart-plate-tells-you-how-many-calories-youre-eating-and-whether-y http://www.fastcoexist.com/3045810/world-changing-ideas/this...
    - aledalgrande 11y ago
      Yep, missed that!
guelo 11y ago
This startup is trying to do it, at least for liquids, https://www.myvessyl.com/vessyl/ https://www.myvessyl.com/vessyl/
- hokkos 11y ago
  This seems the most ridiculous - internet of shit - thing; when in the video he turns the "Vessyl" and it reads beer ... just look at your can, it's written here. Tracking liquid calories is easy, you drink your soda can and the number of kcal is indicated clearly. You drink water from the tap and ... you consume 0 kcal.
  - vlasev 11y ago
    If you are like me and drink a lot of water each day, you will get really really tired of measuring it and keeping track of it. Making it automatic is important - it eliminates the psychological component of trying to beat your numbers. A product like this is not just about tracking calories but also how much you are drinking.
    - djur 11y ago
      Very few people have any need to closely track their water consumption unless they have a particular condition, though, and this product seems to be marketed to a fitness/lifestyle market, not health care.

leereeves 11y ago

Great idea. Perhaps an AI that recognizes what we eat from a cell phone photo and tracks nutrition. Sounds possible at least for prepackaged and restaurant/fast food.

flashm 11y ago
I'm pretty sure someone has just released something like this. A handheld scanner that will tell you the calories/macros for your plate of food. It was a one off cost of circa £150, then £15 or so a month ongoing. Apologies but can't be arsed to find the link on mobile.
- leereeves 11y ago
  Was it this miniature near-infrared spectrometer? > The SCiO, a handheld "pocket molecular sensor" available now on Kickstarter, gives you the data on your food. http://www.fastcoexist.com/3030342/fund-this/this-tiny-device-fits-on-your-keychain-and-measures-the-calories-in-your-dinner http://www.fastcoexist.com/3030342/fund-this/this-tiny-devic... Also found this plate with 3 scales and cameras that uses object recognition algorithms to identify food: > This Smart Plate Tells You How Many Calories You're Eating—And Whether You're Eating Too Fast > The ultimate in portion control: a plate that yells at you. http://www.fastcoexist.com/3045810/world-changing-ideas/this-smart-plate-tells-you-how-many-calories-youre-eating-and-whether-y http://www.fastcoexist.com/3045810/world-changing-ideas/this...
aledalgrande 11y ago
I doubt it would be feasible: 1) food appearance gets changed a lot when cooked and plated 2) a photo would not be enough to recover the volume of food in metric scale
- leereeves 11y ago
  Good points, but did you miss the discussion nearby? It seems someone already made a plate with cameras with object recognition to identify food and 3 scales to determine the volume. > http://www.fastcoexist.com/3045810/world-changing-ideas/this-smart-plate-tells-you-how-many-calories-youre-eating-and-whether-y http://www.fastcoexist.com/3045810/world-changing-ideas/this...
  - aledalgrande 11y ago
    Yep, missed that!

guelo 11y ago

This startup is trying to do it, at least for liquids, https://www.myvessyl.com/vessyl/ https://www.myvessyl.com/vessyl/

hokkos 11y ago
This seems the most ridiculous - internet of shit - thing; when in the video he turns the "Vessyl" and it reads beer ... just look at your can, it's written here. Tracking liquid calories is easy, you drink your soda can and the number of kcal is indicated clearly. You drink water from the tap and ... you consume 0 kcal.
- vlasev 11y ago
  If you are like me and drink a lot of water each day, you will get really really tired of measuring it and keeping track of it. Making it automatic is important - it eliminates the psychological component of trying to beat your numbers. A product like this is not just about tracking calories but also how much you are drinking.
  - djur 11y ago
    Very few people have any need to closely track their water consumption unless they have a particular condition, though, and this product seems to be marketed to a fitness/lifestyle market, not health care.