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The Spoon

Daily news and analysis about the food tech revolution

Michael Wolf

While Amazon Struggles With Futuristic Retail, Sam’s Club is Doubling Down on Computer-Vision To Aid Store Exits

An interesting set of stories came out over the past week, which showed how two retail giants are leveraging technology to help consumers get out of the store faster.

One one hand, you have Amazon halving its Go store count to 16 locations, shifting focus to licensing its “Just Walk Out” technology to third-party retailers.

On the flip side, Walmart’s bulk membership club Sam’s Club is investing more heavily to use computer vision to aid shoppers to get out of the store faster.

The key difference? Sam’s Club is using computer vision for receipt verification. Previously, members had to stop at the exit while associates manually checked receipts, causing bottlenecks. Now, cameras at the exit automatically scan carts and verify purchases, allowing members to walk out without interruption. AI works in the background to refine accuracy, while employees are freed up to assist shoppers rather than policing receipts.

Contrast this with Just Walk Out, which is Amazon’s effort to eliminate the checkout experience all together which, it appears for many people, is still too weird and feels a little to close to shoplifting.

As I wrote last year, Just Walk Out is “a radically tech-forward evolution of checkout, but one in which Amazon appears to have widely overestimated just how many people would use it and how easy it would be to implement. Self-checkout fits most shoppers’ needs when they are in a hurry, and there aren’t that many situations where consumers feel they need to skip checkout altogether.”

A New Report Details Promise (and Challenges) of Canada’s Food & Ag Tech Ecosystem

The Canadian food and agtech ecosystem is experiencing significant growth, according to a new report published today by the Canadian Food Innovation Network.

The report, which dives deep into specific sectors, funding, sector sizing, key challenges and opportunities, says the Canadian agrifoodtech ecosystem lags behind global leaders in both funding and company concentration. According to the report, USD $1.6 billion has been invested in the sector since 2018, with plant-based proteins emerging as Canada’s largest food tech domain, valued at USD $1.7 billion in 2023. However, compared to its global peers, which tend to allocate just 17% of total agrifoodtech investments into agtech, Canada is a bit over-indexed in agtech with 44% of investments compared to 56% invested in food tech (56%).

Despite a total investment in food tech that is smaller relative to its global peers, the report says Canada is establishing itself as a hub for plant-based proteins, biotech-enabled functional foods, and upcycled ingredients:

“The Plant-Based sector is the most significant, comprising 26% of the Canadian food tech ecosystem (investment), compared to 14% globally. This is followed by Functional Foods & Drinks, representing 12% of companies, and Biotech/ Synthetization—primarily focused on specialty ingredients —with 7% of the Canadian food tech ecosystem. All three domains are also amongst the top five most represented globally.“

According to the report, the Canadian food and ag tech ecosystem faces key challenges relative to the US and other markets, the biggest of which is a lack of private capital. Only 40% of food tech investment rounds are backed by venture capital, compared to 60% in the UK and US. This means a heavy reliance on public grants, which comprise nearly 30% of total funding. This is much higher than in the UK (5%) and US (8%). Other challenges include limited scaling resources due to the country’s large geography and lower overall population density, a fragmented regulatory environment and lack of a national food tech strategy.

Despite these challenges, Canadian Food Innovation Network CEO Dana McCauley is optimistic about the sector’s future.

“These challenges are daunting: labour shortages, supply chain vulnerabilities, climate change, and slow rates of innovation threaten the resilience and sustainability of our food system. Yet, Canada’s foodtech ecosystem is rising to the occasion. By leveraging its unique strengths in plant-based proteins, biotech-enabled functional foods, upcycled ingredients, and beyond, the sector is driving transformative innovations that enhance sustainability, boost economic productivity, and create jobs across the country.”

If you’d like to read the full report, you can find it on the CFIN website.

Bonsai’s Announcement Shows Momentum for ‘Physical AI’ in Food & Ag Continues Post-CES

While NVIDIA’s taken a beating the last couple of weeks with the industry-shaking release of DeepSeek, company CEO Jensen Huang’s talk at CES about how AI models are now extending to help us gain a better understanding of our physical world continues to be a tailwind behind those startups levering AI for robotics, computer vision systems and more in a variety of industries.

Including agriculture. Sure, Bonsai’s round was probably nailed down before CES but the announcement’s big emphasis on physical AI was undoubtedly influenced by the big buzz coming out of the big tech show. Bonsai, which makes AI-driven autonomous systems for harsh farming environments, announced last week they’ve secured $15 million in Series A funding to enhance its software, expand its platform, and accelerate commercialization.

The company’s flagship technology, Visionsteer, enables autonomous navigation and data analysis in orchards, even in challenging conditions such as dust, darkness, and uneven terrain. The company says it has over 40 deployed units and has collected data from more than 500,000 acres, which it says translates into lower costs, increased yields, and operational insights previously unavailable through traditional farming methods.

You can check out the company’s hero reel of their computer vision below.

Bonsai 2024 Introduction Video

FirstBuild’s Latest Funky Kitchen Gadget is a Device Which Feeds & Manages Your Sourdough Starter

In a world where many kitchen appliance brands have downsized or eliminated their innovation arms, FirstBuild, the device innovation and incubation for GE Appliances, is generating (and building) more ideas than ever.

The group, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, has developed 104 products and features, with 37 making their way into the GE Appliances portfolio. Along the way, it has raised over $5.2 million through crowdfunding and built a community of 245,000 builders who submit ideas, vote on projects, and occasionally back them financially.

Unlike traditional corporate R&D departments, FirstBuild invites its community of makers, engineers, and consumers to contribute ideas and test prototypes in its 35,000-square-foot makerspace at the University of Louisville. This approach has led to some viral hits, including the Opal Nugget Ice Maker, which launched on Indiegogo and raised $2.8 million before a prototype was even completed. FirstBuild was also the birthplace of the Arden indoor smoker, a CES 2024 hit that is rapidly gaining a fanbase in the grilling community.

Sourdough Sidekick - Design Reveal (UPDATE)

FirstBuild’s latest project is designed for home bakers who love sourdough but don’t want the hassle of maintaining a starter. Currently in prototype stage, the Sourdough Sidekick automates the feeding process, ensuring the starter stays healthy and ready without the daily commitment. While traditional methods require constant attention, FirstBuild claims the Sidekick can sustain a starter for up to seven days, adapting to the home baker’s schedule. The device features a built-in flour hopper, water tank, and a smart dispensing system that measures and delivers the right amounts to keep the starter thriving. It will also monitor ambient kitchen conditions, making adjustments as needed to optimize fermentation.

Of course, FirstBuild’s Sidekick isn’t the first smart sourdough manager on the market. Fred Benenson, former head of data for Kickstarter, created Breadwinner during the pandemic, a smart sourdough monitoring device that tracks a starter’s growth and notifies bakers when it reaches peak activity, ensuring optimal baking times. Priced at $50, Breadwinner features real-time monitoring and smart notifications, allowing bakers to receive alerts via email, pop-ups, or SMS.

The Sidekick, in contrast, is more of a full-fledged automated feeder and management appliance, offering a more hands-off approach. Given its more advanced functionality, it’s likely to come at a significantly higher price than Breadwinner’s affordable $50 price tag.

While the sourdough craze of the pandemic has certainly cooled, my guess is there are still far more home bakers today than there were five years ago and there’s a good chance rising food prices may even spark a new wave of would-be bread bakers looking to make fresh loaves at home. If that’s the case, FirstBuild’s Sourdough Sidekick could arrive at just the right time to offer enthusiasts an easy way to feed both their baking obsession and their hungry starters.

After More Than a Decade, Wireless Power For The Kitchen Is Set to Become a Reality

It has been almost a decade since we at The Spoon began covering efforts to establish a wireless power standard for the kitchen.

Our coverage started when the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) released its first white paper announcing plans to bring wireless power to kitchen appliances. Until then, the consortium was primarily known for developing the Qi standard, which enabled wireless phone charging. However, in February 2017, WPC revealed its vision to extend this technology to blenders, mixers, and other small appliances, aiming to eliminate power cords.

Eight years is a long time, but the push for wireless power in the kitchen actually began nearly four years earlier, in 2013, when Philips and Haier urged WPC to explore a kitchen standard. It would take nearly four more years for the initiative to gain traction among WPC members.

Given the lengthy lead-up to developing a kitchen standard, it’s no surprise that when WPC formally announced its efforts in 2017, the group was (overly) optimistic about when products would hit the market. “We could be looking at products out next year,” Hans Kablau, head of the WPC Kitchen standard, told me at the time.

While those products didn’t arrive in 2018, they now appear to be finally arriving in 2025. After unveiling its first Ki-compliant products in 2024, Midea plans to launch its Celestial Flex Series—which includes a blender, steamer, and kettle—this year. The company has yet to announce pricing, but representatives at WPC’s CES booth confirmed they expect the products to ship in 2025..

You can watch a demo at the WPC booth below:

A Look at The Cordless Power Tech Coming to Market in 2025

Other early Ki products, equipped with integrated transmission coils, are expected to include induction cooktops. However, WPC envisions the technology being installed beneath various countertop surfaces in the long run. The Ki standard is designed to work with non-metal surfaces such as marble, slate, granite, laminate, and wood.

Given its decade-plus gestation period, it’s not surprising that other startups have also attempted to integrate wireless power into appliances and kitchen surfaces. Last year, I covered Cloen, a Spanish startup that developed Cloen Cordless Technology (CCT)—a dual induction plate system capable of both heating cook zones and wirelessly powering countertop appliances. Since last year, Porcelanosa has featured Cloen’s technology in custom-designed kitchen countertops and furniture. The company is also working on a line of cordless countertop appliances under the BeCordless brand.

Another company, Kitchenery, has also been developing wireless power transfer technology and cordless cooking appliances. At CES, Kitchenery debuted its induction kettle, aimed at the RV and marine industries. The company is also partnering with appliance brands and OEMs to integrate its power-receiving system into various products. Kitchenery expects to begin shipping its Quantum energy pad and silent blender this year.

Watch our interview with CEO Akshay Bhuva below.

Kitchenery at CES 2025

The emergence of wireless power for the kitchen reflects a broader trend: technology is receding into the background as kitchens become more streamlined and functional. Advancements in AI, voice and gesture interfaces, and miniaturization are driving this transformation. Now, after more than a decade of development, wireless power is poised to play a key role in this shift.

A Conversation With Bear Robotics’ John Ha on LG Deal and The Future of The Company

“But the really important story is not about 51% acquisition. It’s more about we are acquiring their robotics business,” said Ha. “Among LG conglomerates, we’re the ones who’re going to carry on with the robotics business globally. And that’s, I think, the really major news item.”

That Bear was inheriting LG’s robotics business was hinted at in the coverage, but in our interview John made it clear that Bear will be steering the strategy and technology development going forward for the entire company.

Another surprise from our interview? That Bear is planning to still IPO in the future.

From Ha: “We have enough funding to put into R&D, and then we’re planning for an IPO as our next step. We can probably break even in two to four years.”

A key component of the partnership will be adapting Bear Robotics’ platform to develop robots for additional sectors, including factories, warehouses, and even the home. While LG has previously shown consumer-friendly robotic concepts at events such as CES, Ha believes Bear Robotics’ software expertise will likely accelerate the commercialization of home-oriented robots.

“For us to get into new areas and make breakthroughs is so much easier now…LG has a lot of plans for the home. We can help them save time and improve their products to get to market faster.”

Ha noted that because Bear was one of the pioneers in this space of service robots, he believes his company can serve as a well-established partner for other robotics companies that want to integrate their solutions into new verticals.

“We are opening our platform,” said Ha. “We already have around a little bit over five companies working together. They’re using our platform to build their robotics applications. And they can sell through our network. They can use our installation service or tech support. It’s still early stage, but I think it makes sense

Subscribers to Spoon Plus can watch the full conversation and read the transcript to our interview with John Ha.

How Working the Land (and with Steve Jobs and Michael Dell) Led Tim Bucher to Build a Farming Automation Company

While many tech entrepreneurs dream of retiring as a gentleman farmer, Tim Bucher’s journey took the opposite trajectory. It was only after he bought and started working on his own farm at age 16 that a young Bucher discovered his love for software programming in college. That realization embarked him on a career that would eventually see him working alongside Steve Jobs, Michael Dell, and other Silicon Valley legends.

Yet, despite all his success in tech, Bucher never left the farm behind. In fact, for most of his life, he has straddled the high-tech world of innovation in Silicon Valley and the vineyards of California’s wine country. Now, as the founder and CEO of Agtonomy, Bucher is merging his two lifelong passions—technology and agriculture—to address one of the farming industry’s biggest challenges: labor shortages and operational inefficiencies.

On a recent episode of The Spoon Podcast, Bucher reflected on his early efforts to use innovation to tackle real-world farming challenges. His farm, Trattori Farms, produces grapes and olives—high-value crops that require precise, labor-intensive care. Over the years, he automated irrigation and winemaking processes, but one critical challenge remained: mechanized labor in the fields.

“The gap between rising costs and revenue was closing,” Bucher explained. “I kept automating everything I could, but I couldn’t automate the skilled labor that was needed out in the vineyards and orchards.”

It wasn’t until Bucher watched a documentary about NASA’s Mars rover that he began thinking about how automation could be applied to farming in a way that made sense for both longtime farmers like himself and the manufacturers of the equipment they trust.

“If we can have self-driving vehicles on Mars, why can’t we have them in our orchards and vineyards?” Bucher said. “There’s no traffic on Mars—just like in agriculture.”

This realization led him to found Agtonomy, a company that transforms traditional tractors into autonomous farming machines. But rather than disrupt the farm equipment industry, Agtonomy’s approach is to partner with manufacturers—helping them integrate drive-by-wire and AI technology into their existing models.

“Farmers trust their brands,” Bucher said. “They need the dealer networks, the parts, the service. Buying farm equipment from a startup isn’t realistic. That’s why Agtonomy is helping manufacturers digitally transform, rather than disrupt.”

As AI continues to evolve, Bucher envisions a future where farmers manage their fields remotely—relying on AI agents to analyze data, recommend actions, and deploy autonomous tractors at optimal times.

“Imagine sitting in a command center where AI tells you, ‘Given the soil, weather, and crop conditions, you should send your autonomous tractors out at 9:12 AM on Wednesday,’” he said. “And you just hit ‘Go.’”

While Bucher sees the potential of automated farming, he doesn’t believe technology will replace human farmers—instead, he sees it as a tool to make them more efficient.

“People fear AI taking jobs, but in farming, we don’t have enough labor. This technology doesn’t replace people—it enables them to do more with less.”

For Bucher, Agtonomy was the logical next step, given his lifelong love for both technology and farming. But beyond personal passion, he believes automation is necessary for the survival of modern agriculture.

“Agriculture has to evolve,” he said. “If we don’t automate, we won’t survive.”

You can listen to the full podcast below, or find it on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Meet The Spoon Podcast Network

Here at The Spoon, we—like you—are big fans of podcasts.

What’s not to love? Whether we’re diving deep into a topic we’re passionate about, researching a story, or exploring new interests just beginning to take root, podcasts have become an indispensable resource for us. And we know many of our readers feel the same way.

Personally, I’ve been podcasting and using podcasts as part of my process of discovering and writing about food tech innovators for most of the past decade. As a journalist, podcasts play a crucial role in my reporting process. They’ve allowed me to open-source my discovery journey, bringing The Spoon community along as I learn from subject matter experts about how the world is changing and the industries they’ve mastered.

As both a consumer and a creator of media, I’ve found podcasts to be more essential than ever—especially in an era of AI-generated content. With so much AI-generated media flooding our feeds, it’s becoming harder to discern what’s authentic—whether in written, audio, or video form. That’s why embracing trusted, verifiable voices is more important than ever. Podcasts provide a space for genuine conversations with real people, and that’s something worth amplifying.

Podcasts were also at the forefront of the great decentralization of media. This technology, which started over two decades ago, gave independent voices a platform—no massive media infrastructure required. At The Spoon, we believe strongly in independent media, and we want to leverage our own platform to bring new voices to our community and beyond.

All of this brings us to an exciting announcement: We’re launching our own podcast network!

The idea for The Spoon Podcast Network (TSPN) came to life last year as we engaged with insightful voices across the food tech and future-of-food community. We realized there were so many stories to tell and perspectives to share. While we could certainly invite some of these great minds onto The Spoon Podcast, we started to wonder: What if we could do more? What if we could tap into these experts and leverage The Spoon (and our and their collective networks) to extend their insights, conversations, and discoveries to a broader audience?

In other words, could we open-source the explorations of smart people across food, nutrition, and modern life—so that more of us can learn, engage, and join the conversation?

So that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re launching a great slate of new podcast hosts, and we’re already in talks with more creators to grow the network. Here’s our debut lineup of new podcasts launching with our partners:

Food Truths

On Food Truths, Food scientist Eric Schulze—former head of Global Regulatory at UPSIDE Foods and a former FDA regulator—will bring on smart minds from the food world and beyond to bust myths, uncover surprising truths, and dive deep into the science of food. (Apple Podcasts, Spotify).

Watch What You Eat With Carolyn O’Neil

As CNN’s original health and nutrition contributor, Carolyn O’Neil has spent decades covering how technology and innovative changemakers are reshaping nutrition. On Watch What You Eat, she’ll explore the worlds of food, nutrition, and cuisine, tracking new trends and helping listeners embark on new culinary adventures.

My Food Job Rocks

We’re not just creating new shows—we’re also bringing on seasoned hosts with podcasts we’ve long admired. Adam Yee, one of the original food-industry and food-innovation podcasters, launched My Food Job Rocks nearly a decade ago. We’ve been fans of Adam’s insightful and fun conversations with industry leaders, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the network as he re-launches his iconic show.

Maybe Food, Maybe Tech

In addition to relaunching My Food Job Rocks, Adam Yee is launching a brand-new show with co-host Kai-Hsin Wang. On Maybe Food, Maybe Tech, they’ll break down current events, explore innovative companies at the intersection of food and technology, and share personal insights on life and industry trends.

The Tomorrow Today Show

Mike Lee, author of MISE and a longtime food futurist, has a talent for deciphering early signals and identifying what’s around the corner. On The Tomorrow Today Show, he’ll tackle big questions about sustainability, technology, pleasure, and connection—viewed through the lens of food.

Women Innovators in Food and Farming

Award-winning journalist Amy Wu hosts Women Innovators in Food and Farming, where she interviews women entrepreneurs driving change in agri-food tech. From advancements in seed breeding and soil innovation to cutting-edge robotics and automation, Amy explores the stories and insights shaping the future of food and farming.

Everything But The Carbon Sink

Hosted by Eva Goulbourne—an experienced strategist in food systems transformation and climate philanthropy—Everything But the Carbon Sink examines how agriculture, food waste, and land use impact the climate crisis. Each episode highlights forward-thinking solutions, financing strategies, and the key players driving change at the intersection of food and climate.

Soul to Table

Join Chef Ryan Lacy on the Soul to Table podcast. he goes on a journey to explore our food systems from seed to table through the eyes of our guests, chefs, ranchers, food scientists, farmers & many more.

Spoon Full of AI

In this show, The Spoon’s own Carlos Rodela dives into the cutting-edge world of artificial intelligence. We go face-to-face with industry innovators who share firsthand how AI is transforming their industry and how they are meeting the challenge by utilizing AI in their business. In each episode, we’ll also explore the latest AI tools powering big change, complete with suggestions for leveraging them in your business.

The Reimagining Restaurants Podcast

In this podcast, I talk to entrepreneurs, chefs, and industry leaders who are redefining what it means to run a modern restaurant—leveraging robotics, AI, automation, and sustainable practices to enhance customer service, optimize operations, and drive profitability.

And, of course, we’ll continue to feature The Spoon Podcast, our flagship show covering innovators across the food system. Over the next couple of months, we’ll spotlight conversations on The Spoon Podcast with all of our new hosts so you can get to know them better and hear from them about why their podcasts are must-listens.

You can check out all of our shows on The Spoon Podcast Network page, where you’ll also find links to the podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and their RSS feeds. Please subscribe!

And if you’d like to support our podcasts and independent media through sponsorship, drop us a line—we’d love to have that conversation.

Finally, a big shoutout to our hosts who believed in this vision, and to The Spoon team, including Carlos Rodela (our producer) and Tiffany McClurg, our head of operations (and new warm-read specialist!).

We can’t wait to bring these conversations to you. Stay tuned!

Is LG’s Majority Stake in Bear Robotics a Sign That Food Robotics Is About to Have Its Moment?

Late last week, LG Electronics announced it had acquired a majority stake in Bear Robotics, increasing its ownership of the San Francisco-based startup from 21% to 51%. According to South Korean newspaper The Dong-A Ilbo, LG initially acquired its 21% stake in early 2024 for $60 million. The company values its latest stake at $180 million, giving Bear Robotics an overall valuation of $600 million.

While a 60%-of-a-billion-dollar valuation might not compare to the staggering figures often associated with AI startups—though recent events, such as China’s DeepThink’s troubles, may prompt reevaluations—it’s a really good valuation for a food tech company, especially in the challenging food robotics sector.

Where Are All The Unicorns?

Anyone who’s been following The Spoon (we were the first publication to write about Bear Robotics in early 2018) knows food robotics startups have had a tough go of it the last few years. High-profile flameouts like Zume have dominated headlines, while quieter exits, such as Mezli and Vebu, have underscored how challenging this is.

V

ebu, formerly Wavemaker Labs, played a pivotal role in launching Miso Robotics, creator of the Flippy burger bot, along with other food robotics concepts like Piestro and Bobacino. However, by the time Serve Robotics acquired Vebu Labs last fall, its only notable product in the portfolio was the Autocado, an avocado-coring robot adopted by Chipotle.

Bear Robotics, however, has achieved steady traction in the restaurant and food service industry. This success, combined with LG’s strategic plans to develop a service robot platform for commercial and home applications, has driven its higher valuation. As The Dong-A Ilbo reported, LG plans to create an integrated solution platform that “encompasses commercial, industrial, and home robots” using Bear Robotics’ software to manage various robot products through a unified system.

Service Robots Over Food-Making Robots

What Bear doesn’t provide LG with is an actual food-making robot; instead, it offers a fairly open platform for service robotics in restaurants and other hospitality spaces. At this point, it’s still unclear whether there will be the same level of interest in food-making robots. Some players, like Picnic and Miso, continue to make progress, but they face significant competition for what is undoubtedly a limited number of big quick-service and fast-casual chains that have yet to acquire their own solutions.

Could Serve and Starship be next?

As major tech companies and consumer brands increasingly view robotics as critical to their future strategies—in what Nvidia’s CEO has called “physical AI”—it’s likely that we’ll see more acquisitions in the service and delivery robotics space. Companies with limited proprietary IP (and my sense is LG didn’t have much here) may be particularly desperate to snap up firms similar to Bear that have been around enough to create a foundation of discernable IP and a varied set of products and build a customer base.

Potential acquisition candidates include Serve Robotics, known for its sidewalk delivery robots, and Starship Technologies, a leader in autonomous delivery systems. Both companies have gained traction but operate in an environment where consolidation is becoming inevitable.

With American’s Growing Focus on Microbiome Health, Will Fiber Gain Starring Role Next to Protein in Diets?

At CES last week, The Spoon hosted a panel of experts to discuss the role of personalized nutrition in addressing critical global health challenges, including obesity, diabetes, and chronic diseases.

Moderated by nutrition expert Carolyn O’Neil, the panel featured Noosheen Hashemi of January AI, Ranjan Sinha of Digbi Health, and Matt Barnard of OneBio. Together, they delved into how innovations in artificial intelligence, microbiome science, and biotechnology are transforming how we eat and improve our health.

O’Neil began the session by highlighting the significant impact of diet-related illnesses on public health and the increasing reliance on pharmaceutical interventions, such as GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. While these medications offer effective solutions for managing conditions like obesity and diabetes, the panelists stressed the importance of addressing root causes, including poor dietary habits, fiber deficiencies, and the lack of personalized guidance.

Ranjan Sinha, founder of Digbi Health, emphasized the critical role that genetics and the gut microbiome play in metabolic health.

“Food has been the cause of many illnesses, but it can also be the cure,” Sinha explained. Digbi Health leverages advanced technology to analyze genetic data, gut microbiome profiles, and telemetry from wearable devices to create customized wellness plans.

Sinha also underscored the untapped potential of microbiome research, describing it as the “next pharmaceutical frontier.” He likened its trajectory to the evolution of electronics, predicting that microbiome-based treatments will dominate healthcare in the coming decades.

“Think about where electronics were in the 1990s, and then the leap to smartphones in the 2000s,” he said. “That’s where microbiome science is headed. In the next 15 to 20 years, your gut could effectively function as a pharmaceutical factory, producing compounds to prevent and treat illness.”

Both Sinha and Matt Barnard highlighted the essential role of fiber in health, directly linking it to the microbiome’s function. By nourishing the microbiome with the fibers it requires, they argued, we could unlock its potential to prevent and even reverse chronic diseases.

Barnard compared the importance of fiber to the early discoveries of vitamins and minerals, signaling a paradigm shift in how fiber is viewed in relation to health.

“One hundred years ago, we didn’t know the importance of vitamins and minerals,” Barnard noted. “Now, deficiencies are rare. The same transformation is happening with fiber. As we learn more, it will revolutionize our approach to chronic disease and metabolic health.”

Noosheen Hashemi, CEO of January AI, agreed with Barnard and Sinha on fiber’s vital role in supporting the human microbiome.

“One of the biggest drivers of inflammation in our collective microbiome is the lack of fiber,” she explained. “Our ancestors, just 12,000 years ago, consumed 100 to 150 grams of fiber daily. Today, our intake is drastically lower. Add to that antibiotics and other factors, and we’re collectively in a state of dysbiosis. It’s essential to ensure people get enough fiber.”

Hashemi also shared insights into January AI’s innovative technology, which predicts a food’s impact on blood sugar using a simple photo of the meal. By analyzing millions of data points, the AI can forecast blood sugar responses to meals, even without requiring wearables like glucose monitors.

The panelists collectively predicted a future where pharmaceutical interventions are complemented by greater reliance on dietary strategies. These strategies will increasingly be informed by technologies capable of analyzing a person’s biomarkers in near real time.

This panel left me wondering if we might see a more significant emphasis on fiber by Americans who, by nearly all accounts, have become overly obsessed with maxing out their protein as a way to feel full and hopefully lose weight. With all the emphasis on gut health and the clear connection to fiber, I think there’s certainly a chance some of it break through for everyday consumers looking for ways to stay health and maintain a healthy weight and microbiome.

That said, it’s likely Americans’ fixation won’t end soon. As Mike Lee said on a (separate) panel recently, “Protein is the Tom Cruise of the American diet.”

In other words, protein’s starring role won’t end anytime soon, but maybe there’s a chance fiber may someday get equal billing.

You can watch the full CES panel on personalized nutrition below

The Future of Personalized Nutrition in the Era of Ozempic

Video Game Pro? Why Not Join Our Farm: Farmers Seek New Skills to Attract Workers

It’s no secret that farmers face a significant labor crunch, one that’s expected to worsen over the next few years.

One major reason is farmers’ heavy reliance on migrant labor. Unfortunately, there may be far fewer workers available from this vital labor pool in the coming years. Threats of mass deportations under the Trump administration have left many in the agriculture and food industries concerned about the potential impacts on their partners and the broader food supply chain.

“Our ability to feed ourselves as a country is completely jeopardized if you do see the mass deportations,” said Rick Naerebout, CEO of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association, in a recent interview.

Compounding this issue is the reality that the average farmer is getting up there in years, with the current average age being 58. Many of these farmers have no succession plan, as younger generations from farm families often show little interest in taking over the family business. As a result, many farms currently producing food may be sold off to developers within the next decade.

But what if new technology could make farming jobs more attractive? According to Tim Bucher, CEO of Agtonomy, one way to address the labor shortage is to reframe farming jobs to appeal to workers with skills gained from unexpected areas, such as video games.

At last week’s CES Ag Tech Summit, hosted by The Spoon, Bucher shared the story of one of Agtonomy’s farming partners who faced a crippling labor shortage. Traditional job postings for tractor drivers had failed to attract candidates, so the partner took a bold step: they adjusted the job description to emphasize “video game experience” for the role of an “AgTech Operator.” The results were remarkable.

“The resume flow exploded,” said Bucher. “They hired ag tech operators who had never set foot in a tractor but were able to operate them and accomplish incredible work.”

This move to leverage new skills goes beyond farming. Some startups are creating platforms specifically optimized for integrating video games and virtual reality expertise. For example, Carbon Origins, a company The Spoon covered at CES three years ago, developed a system that uses virtual reality to operate a bulldozer called “Bobby.” These innovations highlight how skills traditionally seen as unrelated to agriculture or construction are now becoming valuable assets in reimagining labor-intensive industries.

AI and Data Are the New Tractor

In addition to using technology to attract new workers, the technology itself—such as AI and automation—may ultimately be the key to saving many farms that operate on razor-thin margins and struggle to survive in the face of accelerating climate change. During the CES panel, participants highlighted how farmers are leveraging autonomous equipment, precision agriculture tools, and AI-enabled decision-making platforms to better manage their operations.

Jacqueline Heard, CEO of Enko, likened the transformative impact of AI and data-driven tools to that of the tractor, which revolutionized agriculture over the past two centuries.

“If you think about any industrial revolution, that’s what it was—a tractor and autonomy causing this incredible acceleration and making what farmers do easier,” said Heard. “The same goes for AI. Data is the new tractor. I think AI will accelerate just about everything we do, from creating better inputs to solving the massive optimization challenges farmers face on-farm and driving profitability.”

You can watch the entire session below.

AI or Die? Why Farms Must Embrace the AI Revolution to Survive

CES 2025 Food Tech Preview

Welcome to The Spoon’s CES 2025 Food Tech Exhibitor Preview!

We’ve scoured through the exhibitor guide and press releases to find some of the products that will be on display at CES 2025 that may interest you. We’ve categorized the different products so you can easily find what interests you—from food robots like Apecoo’s automated waffle and flatbread-making machines to smart ovens and kitchen appliances. This year’s beverage tech lineup includes kombucha makers, home coffee robots, and more. Big names like Kirin are also making an appearance with innovative (and slightly quirky) ideas like their salt-detecting spoon. Unsurprisingly, AI is being incorporated into everything, from the latest smart ovens to nutrition coaches.

Be sure to check out our CES Food Tech walk-around guide for a clickable and sortable list of all the food tech products on display at CES! And if you’re in Vegas, The Spoon is putting on a happy hour for smart home and smart kitchen industry folks. Please drop by!

Now let’s get to the products…

Food Robots

Apecoo Robotic Waffle Maker

Apecoo, based in Silicon Valley, will show of its Roti/Tortilla Robot Baker at CES 2025. This appliance automates the process of making various flatbreads, including roti, chapati, tortilla, tawa, and dosa. It measures and mixes flour, oil, and water, kneads the mixture into dough balls, and then flattens and cooks them to the desired consistency. The device features noise reduction technology for quiet operation, infrared shortage detection for smart monitoring, and an “Auto Alert & Stop” function for enhanced safety.

The company also makes a robotic waffle maker, which has sensors to detect the doneness of the waffle, and cooks the robot from start to finish.

FrazyBot

The FrazyBot is a countertop home beverage robot that makes specialty drinks ranging from cocktails like spicy margaritas to boba tea and coffee drinks. The robot, first introduced at last year’s CES, is available for preorder for $399. FrazyBot is modular and comes with a base module that has a touch panel and water reservoir. Users order their drink boxes from the website and once-inserted, the Frazybot will mix them. The company behind them, Frazy, is known for its coffee and beverage concentrates it ships to consumers via a DTC model and this appliance looks like a way for them possibly create another line of business for their beverage mixes. The biggest downside, in my opinion, is that the robot makes single-use drinks from each package – which seems like a big waste of packaging and cost for a home robot.

Artly Coffee Robots

Amazing Robotic A.I. Drinks and Coffee at Artly Coffee in Downtown Seattle, WA

Artly makes AI-powered barista bots that use deep learning and computer vision. The company says its robots are trained by award-winning professionals to perform complex tasks, including precise latte art. The company already has its robot barists operating in multiple locations across the U.S. and Canada and says its robots have served over half a million cups of specialty coffee, contributing to a significant revenue increase from $100,000 in 2021 to $1.8 million in 2023.

Health & Nutrition Tech

The Kirin Salt Spoon

We first saw Kirin making the rounds with its weird but intriguing Electric Salt Spoon in early 2024, and it looks like they’ll be bringing it to Vegas for CES. The device amplifies food’s saltiness by applying an electric current to the tongue. According to the product’s co-developer, the product works by using the current to draw more sodium into contact with the tongue, which in turn enhances the perceived saltiness of the food.

Netri’s Organ-on-Chip Platform Will Meaure for Food Toxicity Analysis

NETRI’s technology leverages its NeuroFluidics Care platform, which integrates advanced neuroscience and bioengineering to assess the toxic effects of compounds, including those used in the food industry. NETRI uses “organ-on-a-chip” systems, small devices engineered to mimic the structure and function of human organs, and these chips replicate aspects of the nervous system, enabling researchers to observe how compounds interact with neural tissues. The platform creates functional neural networks that are exposed to food-related compounds. By simulating human neural responses, it provides insights into the potential effects of these compounds on human health.

OrthoFoodie

The OrthoFoodie platform is a personalized nutrition and health optimization tool that integrates multiple features to deliver tailored dietary insights. According to the company’s website, users can log their meals or select from a database of foods and recipes. The platform analyzes the nutritional content of these inputs, providing detailed feedback on how they align with individual health goals. Based on user-specific data such as age, activity level, health objectives, and dietary preferences, OrthoFoodie generates recommendations to improve energy, immunity, and cognitive function.

Jelly Drops

Jelly Drops are sugar-free water candy that boosts independent hydration, support health and aid brain function. Made with 95% water, plus added electrolytes and vitamins. Originally created to assist individuals with dementia who often face challenges in maintaining adequate fluid intake, these treats have gained popularity among a broader audience seeking to boost their hydration.

Home Beverage Tech

The Kombu

KOMBU The Fermenstation

While kombucha is a little less trendy than just a couple years ago, those still on board the kombucha train can look to make it at home with the KOMBU Fermenstation countertop kombucha maker. The Fermenstation features a dual-compartment system: a 3.5-liter front glass jar for primary fermentation and a rear section holding four flavoring and secondary fermentation bottles. Each compartment is equipped with temperature-controlled heating pads to maintain optimal fermentation conditions. Users can monitor and control the brewing process via a mobile app, which allows for setting timers and adjusting temperatures remotely. This appliance is appealing mostly because it would allow would-be home kombucha brewers to sidestep the traditional method that requires keeping big piece of mold in a jar called a ‘mother’ alive.

Medipresso Smart Tea Maker

[MEDIPRESSO] IoT-Based Tea & Coffee Dual-Nozzle Capsule Machine

Medipresso’s Medino is a connected tea and coffee capsule machine focused on healthy beverage experiences. The machine, which is compatible with Nespresso capsules, uses dual nozzles to extra both tea and coffee. The device uses an app called Medina which the company says uses AI to make healthy tea recommendations.

Vinxper Electric Wine Decanter

The Vinxper Expert is a 4th-generation electric wine aerator which patented technology that allows precise adjustment of decanting times from 0 to 240 minutes, effectively replacing traditional glass decanters. Designed to enhance the flavor of young wines aged 3 to 7 years, it addresses common issues found in existing electric aerators, such as battery leakage and unstable aeration, by incorporating Type-C charging and a water-resistant design.

Grad Wine Cooler

GRAD, established in 2015 and based in Denmark, makes the Grad No.1, is a 100% portable and rechargeable wine cooler that maintains precise temperature control for any wine. The Grad has a battery life of up to 15 hours and a full recharge time of 2.5 hours,

OviBar Water Bar

Ovi le bar à eau économique, pratique et écologique

The OviBar is yet another water dispensing system. Still, this one connects directly to your home’s water supply and provides instant access to purified water at hot, cold, or room temperature. It has a three-stage filtration system, which includes two filters and UV sterilization, which the company claims effectively removes impurities while preserving essential minerals. It has a dedicated baby bottle mode that delivers water at an optimal 37°C, making it quick and efficient for infant feeding preparations.

Coffee Tech

Flavor Craft AI

Flavor Craft AI: The Ultimate Custom Coffee Experience Created by AI

The Flavor Craft AI system is a home food coffee blending appliance that uses AI to create personalized coffee mixes based on five flavor preferences (acidity, bitterness, astringency, richness and coffee strength.

Outin Portable Espresso Machine

How To Make Espresso With The OutIn Nano Portable Espresso Machine (Ground Coffee)

Want your Joe on the go? The Outin Nano might be for you. The Outin Nano Portable Espresso Machine is a compact, self-heating espresso-making appliance that allows you to brew espresso in your car, while camping or wherever you want to go. It weighs approximately 670 grams and standing about 9 inches tall, and the company claims it can make a rich crema and robust espresso comparable to traditional machines. It has a rapid heating system that brings water to optimal brewing temperature in 200 seconds, and the 7500 mAh rechargeable battery supports up to five extractions with cold water or over 200 with preheated water on a single charge.

REAL9 Fit Stepper Lever Home Coffee Robot

REAL9 FIT: Next-Generation Sustainable Espresso Machine

The REAL9 Fit home espresso maker from Zeroth Law utilizes a stepper motor instead of a boiler to extract espresso, which the company claims results in 97% less energy consumption compared to traditional machines. Its precise pressure control minimizes unwanted chemical reactions, ensuring non-rancid, full-flavored coffee. With a compact design, intuitive interface, and shareable extraction profiles, the REAL9 FIT empowers users to create barista-level coffee effortlessly, making it a versatile and eco-conscious choice for both professionals and enthusiasts.

AstroBrew

AstroBrew is an innovative countertop appliance that revolutionizes cold brew coffee preparation by reducing the traditional 12-24 hour steeping process to just minutes. Astro Brew says it uses patent-pending thermodynamic semiconductor technology, which combines pressure, turbulence, and recirculation to extract coffee flavors efficiently, resulting in a smooth, less acidic brew. The company says it can brew up to 34 ounces of cold brew coffee and keep it fresh for up to 30 days without refrigeration.

Beer Tech

Beer-o-Meter Portable Beer Testing Lab

We bring the LAB to you with Beer-o-Meter

The Beer-o-Meter is a portable lab testing tool for brewers. Compact and portable, this cube-shaped measures key brewing metrics like pH and ABV with no chemicals required. The company says the device has already undergone pilot testing with Dutch breweries, provided feedback that has been integrated into its ongoing development. Initially tailored for the craft beer market, the Beer-o-Meter leverages bioassay technology to ensure precise and reliable results, and the company plans to expand its applications into the point-of-care market.

Laxppy Automated Beer Dispenser

According to the company, the Laxppy Automatic Beer Dispenser is an automated beer dispenser for food service environments. It features two automatic outlets capable of dispensing two glasses of beer in just 12 seconds. Additionally, a manual outlet is available for more traditional pouring methods. The dispenser accommodates beer glass sizes ranging from 300cc to 500cc, making it versatile for various serving preferences. A 7.1-inch touch display provides an intuitive interface for easy operation and monitoring.

Smart Ovens

Agari Kitchen

Agari is developing a cooking robot designed which is says uses ” 3D scanning, remote temperature sensing, and precision algorithms. While more specific details about its features and capabilities are not yet publicly available, the company is preparing for an upcoming launch and encourages interested individuals to subscribe for updates.

DaanTech’s Fantastic Oven

Daan Tech is showcasing its Fantastic Oven at CES, which it first debuted at last year’s CES. The oven, which also goes by Joe (following the same naming convention as it had with its Bob dishwasher), is available for pre-sale now and will be available first in Europe. The oven features a microwave, steam, air fryer, convection and grill/toaster capabilities.

Chef AI

Chef AI, which debuted its oven at CES 2024, will be showing off its intelligent cookware system that utilizes thermal, weight, and dimensional data to monitor and control the cooking process. This advanced technology ensures precise cooking without the need for constant monitoring or external probes and has the capability to cook over 100 different foods.

Smart Kitchen

Spicerr Smart Spice Dispenser

If you’re looking for something a little different in smart kitchen this year at CES, check out the Spicerr smart spice dispenser that optimizes food flavoring and nutrient intake. The connected device uses interchangeable spice capsules and an app to provide precise seasoning tailored to the user’s taste preferences. The company says it has 100 high-quality spices, herbs, and extracts available in sealed capsules. The dispenser’s touchscreen interface allows for manual or automated dispensing, while the accompanying app uses AI to offer personalized recipes, flavor suggestions, and nutritional tracking.

Lissome R1 Tiny Dishwasher

LISSOME R1 Dishwasher: Clean, Dry , and Disinfect in One! 🌟

The Lissome R1 is a compact dishwasher designed for small apartments or homes where traditional dishwashers are impractical. The R1 is 11 inches wide, and uses ‘Sweeping Jet Technology’ with two bottom-rotating and two patented vertical spray arms, the R1 uses high-speed jets at 45,000 Pa to thoroughly clean dishes in just 15 minutes.

Versaware

A Visit With Versaware at CES 2023

We first saw VersaWare at CES in 2023, and they are back this year with their AI-powered smart cooking assistant designed to provide nutritional insights and personalized meal planning. With voice-activated commands, it offers features such as Nutrition Awareness, allowing users to monitor their intake of calories, carbohydrates, and vitamins. The Meal Building tool helps users craft recipes tailored to their dietary preferences, providing nutritional information for each ingredient. Recipe Discovery suggests dishes based on available ingredients, while Pantry Management keeps track of a person’s food inventory, alerting users to low-stock items and monitors expiration dates.

LG

LG will unveil the 36-inch Smart InstaView French Door Refrigerator, which as a fully transparent T-OLED display embedded in the upper right door, serving as both a touch interface and a Dual InstaView panel. This display allows users to view the fridge’s contents without opening the door and showcases hologram-like visuals. For some reason, the fridge provides a curated music playlist.

The company will also show off its ThinQ Food management system, powered by a built-in AI camera, which the company says will automatically identify stored items, suggest recipes based on ingredients and preferences, and track inventory and expiration dates.

Finally, LG will show off its new SIGNATURE microwave with entertainment and smart home integration. Equipped with three built-in cameras, it enables real-time cooking monitoring, time-lapse creation, and tracking of meals’ heating progress. Paired with the induction range powered by Gourmet AI, the microwave identifies ingredients and suggests recipes. The microwave has a 27-inch Full-HD touchscreen with InstaView, built-in speakers, and Wi-Fi connectivity, and LG says it can double as a hub for managing smart home devices through the LG ThinQ Smart Home Dashboard, supporting LG AI appliances and Matter/Thread-compatible devices.

Rejuvenate Fog-Powered Smart Garden

No, the Rejuvenate by Plantaform this isn’t a steam punk garden, but instead a smart garden that uses something called fogponics—a method of delivering nutrients to plant roots via nutrient-rich fog—to grow a variety of herbs, vegetables, flowers, and plants year-round. Designed for ease of use, it accommodates 15 plant pods and requires refilling only every 2-3 weeks, thanks to its efficient water usage. The system is managed through the Plantaform App, which allows users to monitor plant health, adjust light schedules, and receive care guidance.

Restaurant and Food Retail

PickPad

We’ve seen many smart checkout systems in recent years at CES, but Pickpad is a little different in that it is tailored for restaurants as a smart order pickup system. It enables restaurants to put orders-to-go on a smart pad. The modular system utilizes sensors and machine learning to integrate into existing food service environments and their point-of-sale systems without altering current processes. It automatically double-checks order accuracy, updates order statuses in real time, collects comprehensive data points, and personalizes the customer experience by displaying customer names when orders are ready.