Futuristic AI ‘grape ripeness detector’ could overhaul wine industry

Scientists have created an AI-powered “grape ripeness detector” designed to make wine production more efficient, combining the use of technology with vineyard expertise in pursuit of the best wine for consumers.

The new portable handheld sensor provides instant and accurate data about whether grapes are ready to harvest, scientists in the UK say.

Given that harvesting grapes is time-sensitive, researchers at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) have invented a portable optical sensor that uses state-of-the-art machine learning to give winemakers instant information about the ripeness of their grapes, news agency SWNS reported. 

The device removes the need for manual sampling and slow destructive testing, the researchers said. 

Xuechun Wang, a post-doctoral researcher at QMUL, specializes in applying machine learning algorithms to building intelligent sensors.