
AI that sniffs
We are developing an "AI Nose," a digital olfactory sensing platform for detecting smells. Our product features a nanosensor hardware array licensed from NASA that identifies smells by their molecular shapes, converting these into digital signals. These signals are analyzed by our AI models, pre-trained on a wide range of scent data, allowing quick recognition of specific odor profiles. Our launch MVP targets the detection of prohibited substances like fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Traditionally, airports, law enforcement, and border patrol have relied on sniffer dogs—an expensive and logistically complex method. Our technology offers a faster, more economical solution, eliminating the need for trained animals. Our compact device functions as a handheld unit or an integrated component in systems like X-ray scanners. It rapidly identifies various substances, including new drug variations, providing a non-invasive detection method that protects law enforcement personnel and K9 units from hazardous exposure. Our objective is to develop a versatile, general-purpose smell sensor adaptable to various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, retail, automotive, agriculture, and hospitality. Ultimately, we aim to miniaturize this technology for integration into smartphones, voice assistants, and other smart devices, unlocking vast new possibilities.
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Medha Bhadkamkar
founder
Vj Anma
founder
Despite significant resources being allocated, overdose deaths are skyrocketing, with fentanyl and methamphetamine being the leading causes. Last year alone, reported overdose deaths exceeded 150,000. Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths among youth, while methamphetamine leads among older adults. Law enforcement and non-profits simply don't have enough resources to keep up with this crisis. Detection methods are varied but often insufficient. For example, sniffer dogs, while effective, are cost-prohibitive—each costing around $65,000. This limits the number of dogs available to law enforcement, and any contact with these substances can be fatal to the dogs. Manual inspections pose similar risks. Fentanyl test strips, another common method, are prone to human error, require direct contact with the substance, and struggle to keep up with the evolving variants of fentanyl. This crisis demands innovative solutions that can keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of drug variants and offer safer, more efficient detection methods.