'Smart' chopsticks unveiled in China
Image copyright
Baidu
Electronic chopsticks that can detect whether food is unsafe to eat have been unveiled by Chinese tech company Baidu.
The search giant said the utensils could detect unsanitary cooking oil - a common concern in the country.
At its annual conference in Beijing, Baidu also unveiled its own wearable headset, a rival to Google's Glass.
The Baidu Eye has an in-built camera but no screen, and conveys information to the user via an earpiece or by connecting to a smartphone.
Both new products are as yet unavailable to consumers, and the company did not specify a date on which they would go on sale.
In a video promoting the new chopsticks, Baidu shows the device measuring the precise heat of various foods, as well as nutrients and sell-by date.
The sticks, which also include a sodium analyser to help users regulate their daily salt intake, can connect to any computer via wi-fi and Bluetooth.
"Chopsticks are the embodiment of Chinese wisdom," a Baidu executive said. "And we have combined it with our advanced technology."
