Watch: Danone targets big data and machine learning to create tailored infant nutrition products

The lab is being touted as a global hub for innovation, and will use advanced digital technology to provide tailored nutritional care in early life.

In our exclusive video interview, we hear from director Rocio Martin and principal scientist Thomas Ludwig, who outline how big data and machine learning can be utilised to better meet consumer needs.

They also discuss two projects that are already underway at the lab; one to collect real-time data of infants’ crying to help create products to combat colic, and the other an app that can monitor and store information on infants’ stool consistency to track the impact of diet, supplements and other nutrition products.

The Precision Nutrition D-Lab comes amidst the Singapore government’s drive for digital healthcare in line with its Smart Nation initiative, and the latest budget announcement to increase healthcare expenditure to S$10.2 billion in the current financial year.

“Being at the heart of Asia will allow Danone Nutricia Research to form strategic partnerships with regional healthcare experts to devise customised nutritional solutions to continue enriching the health of Singapore and beyond,”​ said Martin.

Research collaboration 

Since its establishment in Singapore in 2011, Danone Nutricia Research has collaborated with a range local and regional institutions.

It has partnered with A*STAR, National University of Singapore and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital to conduct various experimental and clinical studies, that provide insights on early life gut microbiota, which have the potential to predict the development of allergy later in life.

Future projects in the pipeline at the lab include an app that scores baby skin symptom and provides advice to parents and healthcare professionals, and an artificial intelligence conversational tool to gather data around parental feelings.

Chan Ih-Ming, director of consumer businesses at Singapore’s Economic Development Board – which supported the development of the lab – said: “Singapore is uniquely positioned to support multi-disciplinary, niche hubs like Danone Nutricia Research’s Precision Nutrition D-Lab. Our capabilities in early life nutrition and digital technologies, alongside a strong research base and deep understanding of Asian consumers, make Singapore a natural choice.”​

Take a look at the video to find out more about the lab.