The rise of mobile computing lead to several people predicting that the day will come when all kinds of technologies will be incorporated into smartphones and users will need to carry just one device. It seems that time is approaching fast, as Adamant Technologies, a San Francisco based corporation is in the process of developing sensors which will enable smartphones to detect taste and smell just like humans. Vinod Khosla, a famous venture capitalist, has backed Adamant Technologies with an investment. The startup is going to use the funds to figure out how to imitate the sensory system of humans that combines data after taking it from the nose, memory and three other senses then, recognises odours and gives conclusions or recommendations accordingly.
The Adamant Technologies sensors will detect odour by performing almost similar actions. However, the edge that Adamant’s technology has over a human sensory system is that it has 2,000 sensors in comparison to an individual’s 400 sensors. These 2,000 sensors pair up with the wide array of databases, which enables them to detect an extensive list of odours.
These sensors could be incorporated into computers, cars, phones, medical devices and even in office and work environments after digitizing in order to help people:
Detect illnesses and infections
Prevent disease in food
Alert when food becomes bitter
Tell when cellared wines are best to drink, or when agricultural supplies are good to eat
Incorporate breathalyzer apps to check alcohol level in blood, halitosis, diabetes and much more
At this instant, these sensors are in production at a plant in Austin, Texas. When these sensors will come out of the production they will be integrated in an iPhone plug-in device that will cost customers about $100 or less.
Source: PSFK
Photo: DesignTaxi