MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – Google, Inc., is developing an app that can count the calories in a meal simply by analyzing a photograph of the food, according to a Popular Sciencereport.

The project is called Im2Calories, and it works by analyzing the depth pixels in the image. The algorithms will become more accurate over time. Google said the app could prove useful to consumers working to control meal portions and scientists and doctors using the data in aggregate to conduct research.


Im2Calories isn’t Google’s first foray into the world of food. In May 2013, the company added to its Knowledge Graph nutrition information for more than 1,000 fruits, vegetables, meats and meals. At the time, Google said additional features, foods and languages will be added over time. Nutrition information also is available through voice search which works on the web and mobile.