Among the things the British are criticised for are their lack of ability at speaking foreign languages, and terrible food. The University of Newcastle has tackled both of those issues by developing a computerised kitchen which 'speaks' to the cook in French, rather like a satnav system. Apparently sensors are built into cooking utensils so when the cook picks up the wooden spoon, or the whisk, the correct instructions are given.
When students learn a foreign language in a classroom the situations are often unreal simulations, but the computerised kitchen is a task-based learning method which results in an actual meal. You can program the computer to give you the English translation if you are worried about the recipe going wrong and producing something inedible. Adding the technology to an existing kitchen costs £2-3000.
Here's a BBC article on the story, and here's the relevant Newcastle University page.
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