Airbus commissioned a startup named Koniku to develop smell sensors, which can detect potentially hazardous materials. The smell sensors are scheduled to be tested later this year to search for explosive chemicals in airport screening tunnels. Oshiorenoya Agabi, one of the founders of Koniku, spoke about the smell sensors, “We have developed a technology that is able to detect smell — it’s breathing the air, and it’s essentially telling you what’s in the air.”
The company will also look toward expanding the capabilities of the device to detect viruses, where users can breathe on the unit to receive information about their state of health.
Overall the scent detecting devices show promise for future technology in this area.
Image Credit: Koniku/The Index Project
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Smell-sensing Technology
- Opportunities for further advancements in scent-detecting tech for various industries.
- Air Safety Innovations
- New methods in airport security are being developed with sensory technology.
- Health Monitoring Devices
- Potential for further applications of this technology in medical industries for diagnostic tools and disease detection.
Where This Applies
- Aviation
- Scent sensors can become a disruptive innovation in airport screening and air safety.
- Medical Devices
- Scent-sensing devices can revolutionize healthcare by detecting diseases and monitoring health in real-time.
- Security
- Opportunities for indoor security implementation, including scent-sensing technology for early detection of fires and gas leaks.
