It’s always a shame when you buy fresh food and it spoils in the refrigerator before you can use it. The Aurora System is designed to block that out using a combination of UV light and vacuum packs.
Aurora, which is currently the subject of an Indiegogo campaign, is created by a startup called Uvera. Uvera has partnered with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. The system recently received a CES Innovation Award.
Aurora consists of the main device, an assortment of BPA-free transparent food containers, and an app.
A user first puts fruit, vegetables, meat, or fish into one of the containers, puts the container into the device, closes the device door, and presses the start button. The Google Assistant software running on the device then asks the user what’s in the container. The user answers verbally (that is, they say “broccoli”).
Ubera
For the next 30 seconds, the device illuminates the contents of the container with UV-C light to kill any bacteria present on the surface of the food. The device also vacuum seals the container, but sucks all air out of the lid port and also weighs the container. By subtracting the known empty weight of the container from the gross weight, the device can determine the weight/quantity of the produce.
From there, the user removes the container from the device and sticks it on the refrigerator. According to Uvera, produce stored via the Aurora system lasts 25% to 218% longer than traditionally stored produce, depending on the type and volume of the produce.
This app allows users to check the expiration date of food in a specific container. Additionally, the app will alert you if any of your stored food is nearing its estimated expiration date.
The Indiegogo pledge starts at US$639 for a package that includes one Aurora device and six containers of two different sizes. Planned retail price is $989. Assuming all goes according to plan, shipments are expected to begin in July.
This system is demonstrated in the following video.
Aurora: longer shelf life, fresher food
Source: Indiegogo, Uvera
