Project Lumen explores a future where food communicates with people instead of forcing people to interpret labels.
What if every menu adapted to the individual instead of every individual adapting to the menu?
Today, menus rely on tiny allergen icons and lengthy explanations. People often confuse allergies, intolerances and dietary preferences, while restaurants struggle to present information clearly.
Core research questions
Can menus adapt automatically to dietary requirements?
Can allergens become impossible to miss?
Can food explain ingredients in plain language?
Can restaurant staff answer fewer repetitive questions?
Can dietary confidence improve without making menus more complicated?
Could accessibility become a competitive advantage?
Concept experience
Imagine arriving at a restaurant.
You scan a table, menu or NFC tag.
Instead of everyone seeing the same menu...
The menu becomes yours.
🌱
Vegan dishes highlighted
🥜
Peanut-containing dishes clearly marked
🌾
Gluten-containing dishes faded
🥛
Dairy-free recommendations
🌶
Spice preference matched
🍽
Nutrition information shown
🌍
Sustainability information surfaced
🌿
Origin of ingredients explained
📅
Seasonality highlighted
🔥
Preparation notes expanded
🗣
Voice explanations offered
🔎
Large-text and high-contrast modes
Research areas
Personalised Menus
Menus adapt to each diner.
Accessible Dining
Voice, visual and simplified experiences.
Food Transparency
Ingredients explained in plain English.
Smart Restaurants
Digital menus that communicate rather than simply display.
Kitchen Intelligence
Helping restaurants maintain accurate information across changing menus.
Future Hospitality
Exploring how dining experiences evolve over the next decade.
Research status
Research Exploration
Can food communicate with people instead of simply listing ingredients?
Future possibilities
Exploratory ideas, not claims about existing capabilities.
