Customers will be able to simply pick up an item - such as an avocado or mango - and put it under a machine that scans it with an infrared beam.

It can tell whether the fruit is ready for smashing or better used sliced

Fans of the fruit are divided over whether it's a shopping hack or if a squeeze test should suffice.

Customers will be able to simply pick up an item - such as an avocado or mango - and put it under a machine that scans it with an infrared beam.