The world leader in alcohol drinks Diageo has teamed up with the Norwegian high tech firm Thinfilm specialising in printing smart systems to create the first ever «Internet of things» connected bottle with NFC-based printed sensor tags. The prototype of the bottle for Johnnie Walker Blue Label was unveiled recently at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Thanks to Thinfilm’s patent-pending OpenSense technology based on smartphone NFC (Near Field Communication) capabilities, the smart bottle can interact with both consumers, retailers and the brand’s supply chain representatives either in store or after the purchase.

By tapping the bottle with an NFC-enabled smartphone, shoppers can make sure that this is an authentic bottle that has never been opened; they can also get some promotional offer, cocktail recipes and some engaging branded content onto their phone. The sensor tags remain active even after the original seal on the bottle has been broken.

Helen Michels, Global Innovation Director, Futures Team at Diageo, says:

“We constantly experiment with the latest cutting edge technologies to enrich and enhance the experiences delivered by our iconic brands. Our collaboration with Thinfilm allows us to explore all the amazing new possibilities enabled by smart-bottles for consumers, retailers and our own business, and it sets the bar for technology innovation in the drinks industry.”