Smart Refrigerator Based on Internet of Things (IoT): An Approach to Efficient Food Management

This paper focuses on the technology of the smart refrigerator connected through the Internet of Things (IoT) platform. It deals with the issue of food wastage and efficient food distribution through a network of connected refrigerators within a defined neighborhood. This paper defines the three-layer architecture: front-end layer, gateway layer and the back-end layer that can allow the implementation of the system. This low-cost network can be created through a microcontroller and wireless sensors at the front-end architecture. The process was discussed to determine: the stock item below a defined quantity or threshold limit, determining the product expiration date and eventually determining the purchase or exchange of food items across the network. It also includes the proof of concept technology by allowing connection of an ultrasonic sensor to an IoT platform that can allow the exchange of information on the positioning of the food items inside the refrigerator. This eventually can allow for a large-scale commercial implementation of the project to deal with the current issue of food distribution.