Developer Nima (fka 6SensorLabs) Display OLED Power 320-mAh LiPo battery | Release date Fall 2016 Connectivity Bluetooth low energy | |
Dimensions Length: 3.5 in Width: 1.0 in Height: 3.1 in | ||
Nima is a portable device used to measure the gluten content of food. The product is still in development and is set to ship near fall 2016, though the company began accepting pre-orders in October 2015.
Contents
Operation
A food sample is placed in a one-time use capsule, which is then screwed into the body of the triangular device. Once inside, the food is mixed with proprietary antibodies and analyzed by sensors for approximately two minutes. If the sample contains less than twenty parts per million of gluten (the same limit required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for gluten-free labeling), Nima displays a smiley face; otherwise a frowning face is displayed. The device has not been approved by the FDA, although the developers contest that such approval is not necessary because they "are not using it to diagnose or manage disease."
Nima is also developing a companion application for iOS, connected through Bluetooth, that would allow users to connect with other Nima owners and find allergen information for specific restaurants. The company plans to eventually expand its technology to detect other allergens - such as peanut and dairy - as well as additives, GMOs, preservatives and possible causes of food poisoning.
Reception
Nima was listed among Time magazine's best inventions of 2015.