Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FOODINIPRO (FoodiniPro: the connected 3D Food Printer appliance for every kitchen)

Teaser

FoodiniPro is a new product addressing the B2C market, with the ambition to become a standard kitchen appliance in every kitchen in the world. Objectives:1. To go from prototype to market devices by integrating an innovative cooking system and improved artificial vision and...

Summary

FoodiniPro is a new product addressing the B2C market, with the ambition to become a standard kitchen appliance in every kitchen in the world. Objectives:

1. To go from prototype to market devices by integrating an innovative cooking system and improved artificial vision and artificial intelligence capabilities. Goals:

a. To design and produce new pre-factory prototypes integrating the cooking system
b. To develop new software features to coordinate printing and cooking processes
c. To integrate AI (Artificial Intelligence) and AV (Artificial Vision) capabilities, including a thermal camera (IR vision)
d. To complete the certification process guaranteeing the safety of the device and the food prepared (CE, FDA)
e. To adapt current fabrication process to include new systems and modules in the production line and produce the first FoodiniPro pre-series

1. To validate FoodiniPro reaching the main following goals:

a. To plan and execute pilot tests with representative groups of users from at least 3 target market segments
b. To complete the required certification process for target markets
c. To upscale and adapt current manufacturing process to prepare mass-production

1. To develop a deep commercial plan to bring FoodiniPro to the B2C market and meet sales targets.

NM is developing a commercial plan to meet sales targets, including the communication & marketing activities to evolve from a B2B to a B2C model. Goals:

a. To increase NM presence in major events and in selected communication channels
b. To establish alliances with online sales channels and kitchen appliance brands
c. To setup negotiations with at least one online sales channel for each of the main target markets (Europe, Asia, USA)


1. To find a solution to scale-up the customer service and be ready for commercialization. The main steps to achieve this objective are:

a. To identify and select a European customer service provider matching NM needs and requirements.
b. To deploy a scalable customer service providing localized client support for global customers 24x7

Work performed

\"From the beginning of the project until the end of the period covered by this report, the tasks according to the general objectives have been carried out as planned and as shown below. The focus has been set on completting objective #1: upgrade of current prototypes to the new FoodiniPro model, Objective #2: start certificattion process and start conversations with target customers, Objective #3: started conversations for potential Chanel partners and presence in events and Objective #4 launch Natural Machines customer support platform to automate trouble ticketing and customer inquiries.

Regarding, OBJECTIVE 1:

The design and specifications for FoodiniPro are finished, we are producing the first pre-series devices. Main features developed are:
● Software to coordinate printing and cooking processes: From a former version of Foodini, adding thermal camera and sensors, new software and firmware are being developed to control both printing and cooking. Initial version of the firmware and software is available and will be embedded in the first devices coming in June 2019.
● AI capabilities integration: Development of AI detection systems help guide the user through smooth operation, including the detection of food being placed inside the device to be cooked or plates being used as a base. It will also help preventing users from making mistakes, like detect the wrong nozzle, plate not placed correctly, etc.
● AV capabilities integration: Building 3D Reconstruction systems using cameras and pattern generators to be able to print on any surface and adapt laser cooking to different foods inside the device (e.g. meat, fish, cookies…)


All this software features developed will be tested in the first FoodiniPro devices planned to be received in June 2019, according the planned Milestone #2 (MS2) and the development of Task T2.4 (Pre-Factory Device Test).

OBJECTIVE 2:

We have submitted the devices for precertification tasks. The scope of the certifications being tested are:
• EMC
• Safety
• RF
• Environmental regulation
Food safety and microbiological tests were already tested and will complete certification at a later stage

We have engaged with prospective customers of FoodiniPro in the hotel industry (Melià, currently defining the scope and reach of the project once they confirmed their interest) and real estate agents. Once the pilots with these customers prove successful, we will rollout in similar customers (Accor, Hilton…).


Regarding OBJECTIVE 3:

● NM has hired a Head of Commercial and has developed a commercial plan that is being implemented. The commercial plan specifies strategies per segment and geographical market, with specific focus in major customers willing to deploy FoodiniPro in hospitality, health and real estate. The commercial plan for B2C will be developed at a later stage, once the feedback from potential distributor channels is received.
● Discussions have been held with major kitchen appliance brands (Samsung, Bosch, Electrolux, SEB Groupe) and have been discarded as potential partners as their approach was not collaborative and FoodiniPRO did not fit in any of their categories.
● Discussions are being held with Amazon in Europe and the USA and JD.com in China to see if there is a match for FoodiniPro to be sold in their platforms
● Discussions are being held with Nestlé to put Foodini in their Nespresso Boutiques. This looks promising and would be an ideal channel to get exposure at no cost.
● Meanwhile, Natural Machines is participating in shows in which we can get exposure at a reduced cost, like TasteTomorrow 2019 (Barcelona, Spain) or Seeds & Chips 2019 (Milan, Italy), while we are securing our presence in CES Vegas 2020
● Natural Machines has opened commercial offices in USA (NYC), Italy (Milano/Torino) and China (Beijing) to deal with local customers



● Regarding OBJECTIVE 4:

● Scaling-up of the customer service:

● Natural Machines has rolled out its c\"

Final results

The interaction of our partners beta testers and clients using Foodini has allowed NM to complete redesign the Foodini’s UI / UX. Results obtained represent a greater usability of the entire application. Soon it will be put into a production version.

In the market surveys carried out by NM we still can not find anyone in the market that carries out the laser cooking process. In the same way, we have not detected any device in the market that simultaneously performs the printing and cooking processes.

However, studies and tests at the theoretical level of proof of concept have been carried out, mainly under the support of university centers dedicated to engineering and food technology.

This analysis pushes us more strongly to launch FoodiniPro within the estimated schedule, because we are convinced that its launch will be a disruptive solution that will represent an absolute novelty in the market.

Website & more info

More info: https://www.naturalmachines.com/.