University of New South Wales researchers in Sydney, Australia, have developed VibMilk, a smartphone-based tool to check milk freshness non-invasively, reducing waste and improving safety.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia, have unveiled a groundbreaking technology called VibMilk, designed to help consumers determine the freshness of milk using their smartphones. UNSW is a leading Australian institution known for its contributions to science, engineering, and technology.
This innovative tool employs a smartphone’s vibration motor and inertial measurement unit (IMU) to assess milk’s quality without opening the package. VibMilk aims to address global food waste issues, as the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 20% of dairy products, including milk, are wasted annually. Additionally, the technology enhances food safety by minimizing the risk of consuming spoiled dairy products, which are a common source of food-borne illnesses.
Professor Wen Hu, who leads the research team at UNSW’s School of Computer Science and Engineering, highlighted the advantages of VibMilk. “Unlike traditional methods, which often require costly equipment or rely on package transparency, VibMilk is non-invasive and works with opaque containers. It uses machine learning to analyze vibrations and accurately predict milk’s freshness,” said Prof. Hu.
How VibMilk Works
Milk spoils due to bacterial activity, which alters its physical properties, such as density and viscosity. VibMilk captures these changes by analyzing vibrations using a smartphone’s IMU sensor. The system can predict milk’s pH levels with an average accuracy of 98.35% and detect fresh milk with 100% precision.
Prof. Hu emphasized that VibMilk goes beyond reliance on “use-by” dates, which are often inaccurate as they depend on assumptions about storage conditions.
“This technology empowers consumers to test milk freshness on their own, reducing unnecessary waste and benefiting areas facing food shortages.”
Professor Wen Hu.
Future Developments
The UNSW team is exploring how different packaging materials impact vibration signals to ensure VibMilk’s broader applicability. They are also collaborating with a New South Wales-based milk producer to develop a factory-scale system for non-invasive quality checks.
While the consumer version relies on smartphones, factory environments may integrate advanced sensors for bulk testing, streamlining production processes and ensuring milk quality before distribution.
As UNSW continues refining VibMilk, the team envisions partnerships with charities to deploy the technology in food-insecure regions, further enhancing its social impact.
This innovative step reaffirms Australia’s leadership in leveraging technology to solve pressing global challenges in food safety and sustainability.
