FreshTrack
2026
Innovative Product Award
Winner
Irish Academy for Young Engineering & Innovation (IAYEI)
Designers / Creators / Authors / Leaders
Aoife Gallagher, Cian O’Donnell, Róisín Murphy
FreshTrack is a range of smart, handheld barcode readers designed for use within the home, enabling users to easily track the freshness and lifecycle of stored food.
When placing items into the fridge, users simply scan the product barcode. The system logs the item, tracks its expected shelf life, and monitors its status over time. Through a connected mobile app, users receive clear, timely updates on what should be consumed soon. The aim is that it helps to plan your shopping as well as greatly reducing mental load.
The device transforms the refrigerator into an intelligent food management system, helping households reduce waste and make better-informed decisions.
Reverse Thermo Charging
At the core of FreshTrack is a thermoelectric energy system that harnesses the temperature difference inside the fridge to recharge the device.
No cables or batteries required as the unit has continuous passive charging so that it is always ready for use.
This allows the product to remain fully autonomous within its environment, eliminating maintenance and reinforcing ease of use.
The jury recognizes FreshTrack as an elegant response to a widespread problem. Its combination of technical ingenuity and everyday usability is particularly noteworthy given the age of its creators.
By integrating energy harvesting, intuitive interaction, and digital support, the project demonstrates how innovation can emerge from fresh perspectives. FreshTrack is a compelling example of how design can make sustainability effortless, accessible, and human-centered.
