With the development of Instagram, snapping pictures of scrumptious food has become a habitual pastime for many. With this in mind, SRI International  is working on a new app that will help everyday phone users count calories just by taking a picture. 

The mastermind behind this unique idea is SRI International, the research laboratory responsible for building Apple’s Siri.

Users of the app will be able to take pictures of their meals, which will then be sent to iCloud, a cloud storage service. There the pictures will be analyzed and users will be given an approximate number of calories in their food. 

SRI International’s Executive Director Dror Oren, said that this app will only be able to give users a calorie approximate because of the unseen oils and butters used. However, they are trying to keep this factor in mind while developing the app. 

The two biggest problems for the construction of the app is figuring out what foods are on a plate and how much is on it. 

The idea of the app is to help people that are trying to eat healthier. 

The app is still in the works, under the name Ceres. SRI International is currently looking for a partner to help them continue their work on the app.

Reach Staff Writer Kelly Masuda here.