Kura Sushi Inc., a major conveyor-belt sushi restaurant chain operator, has introduced a system -- powered by artificial intelligence (AI) -- that grades tuna quality by assessing fat and firmness via a smartphone camera and an app. Because on-the-spot assessments overseas have become difficult with the spread of the novel coronavirus, Kura Sushi plans to use the system to help purchase tuna from abroad to ensure the quality it serves in its restaurants.
Normally, skilled sushi experts assess tuna by examining the cross-section of a tail before making a purchase. But Tuna Scope, developed by Dentsu Inc. and Information Services International-Dentsu Ltd., is said to be able to assess quality with about 90% accuracy after AI learned the cross-sectional images of a large number of tuna tails, and relevant data from sushi experts' assessments.
By holding a smartphone, with the downloaded app, over the cross-section of a tail, the AI will instantly grade quality within three levels: "A," which is the highest, "B," for high, or "M," for average.
About 70% of the sushi ingredients offered at Kura Sushi are imported. The company has decided to introduce a system that can remotely assess the quality of ingredients as travel by buyers is restricted due to the spread of the coronavirus. Kura Sushi plans to consider using the system for other fish in the future.
Kura Sushi will serve "Kiwami Jukusei AI Maguro," two pieces of A-rank tuna sushi at 220, yen including tax, until Thursday.
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