chicago-based tech startup ovie showcases smarterware at CES 2019, a line of food-storage products that alert users when the contents of their fridge is about to spoil. the smart tupperware includes smartTags which attach to foodstuffs and identify those which are nearly past their use by date. a third-party app then suggests recipes to make from near-expired items.

images courtesy of ovie

ovie‘s product line includes tupperware-style containers, clips and ‘universal connectors’ that can stick to any existing packaging. with a sticky gel backing, they can be attached to a piece of tupperware, a milk carton or even a half eaten box of chinese food. the tags turn green to signify fresh items, and turn yellow and eventually to red when an item is close to, or has likely spoiled.

so how does it work? when you press the button on a smartTag, that tag connects to a hub and registers with ovie’s cloud awaiting instruction. then when you tell your home assistant what you’re saving, it then informs the cloud. ovie then pulls how long your food should last from our database and sends that information back to the smartTag you pressed, starting the countdown. when half the duration has passed, the cloud tells the smartTag to change its color to yellow and sends a notification to your phone.

ovie designed smarterware to work with the voice recognition of amazon alexa. smarterware launched last year on kickstarter and has since exceeded its funding goal of $40,000 (£29,800). ovie hopes to begin shipping smarterware early this year and plans to launch the system with google home compatibility in the future.