Scale experts at Fraunhofer Institute for Information and Data Processing (IITB) in Germany have invented new self-service retail weighing scales which can automatically recognise which type of fruit and veg have been placed onto them.

These scales use an onboard camera to take an image of the produce placed onto it. The image is then compared against other images that the vegetable scale already has stored within its own database to help identify the produce.

Customers are then shown additional options on the scales touch-screen, if further distinguish between different varieties of tomatoes, oranges or apples are required.

The German researchers are confident that their scales for retail will accurately distinguish between the various shapes, colours and ripeness stages of all the vegetables and fruits currently available in shops.

Sascha Voth, Lead Scientist from IITB suggests that plastic packaging that may surrond the vegetables will not hinder the performance of their shop scale, he says, "Even the cloudy plastic bags in which the fruit may be packaged at the counter are no problem for the scales".

These retail weighing scales are currently being trialled in 300 supermarkets throughout Europe.

Labels: retail, scale

Inaccurate baggage scales are costing passengers £70 in access baggage fees according to West Sussex Trading Standards.

After examining 600 baggage scales at Gatwick Airport, more than 20% were discovered to be faulty and supplying incorrect baggage weight results. In many instances, luggage scales were displaying 5 kilograms prior to baggage being placed onto the scales.

Bruce Treloar, Principal Trading Standards Officer, said "we advise people to try and weigh the baggage at home. Bathroom scales may not be perfectly accurate but they will give an idea.”

“At the check-in desk, check the scales are on zero. If they already show a weight ask the check-in staff to put them on zero.”

“This is quite simple. It just means pushing a button. If the indications don’t change when the button is pushed it may mean a fault with the scales – and we in Trading Standards want you to tell us about it.”

Airline Baggage Allowance :

• Ryanair 15kgs
• Flybe 20 kg
• Easyjet 20 kg
• Monarch 32kg
• British Airways 23kg

Airline Baggage Excess Charges :

• Ryanair £7.50 per kg
• Flybe £6 per kg
• Easyjet £6 per kg

Labels: airport, baggage, luggage