Tag: sensor

Smart ‘pinecones’ warn against wildfires. When it comes to domestic fires or break-ins, however, deaf people are particularly vulnerable. Enter a British research team and its new vibrating pillow jacket. On the reverse four miniature haptic actuators have been woven into the fabric. These are coupled with a smartphone through a microcontroller; the smartphone, in turn, can be connected...

A nature-inspired gripper works particularly well on uneven surfaces. Endoscopic surgery, in which suspicious tissue is removed for safety reasons, relies on doctors’ ‘touch’. But touch is a precarious thing. Enter a US research team and its soft sensors that can measure force during minimally invasive procedures. The sensors are 3D-printed, moulded and made from silicone. Each contains tiny,...

Analogue speakers have joined the digital world. Now, a startup in Chicago has developed a sensor which allows analogue watches to be converted into smartwatches. The 3mm thin disc is placed on the underside of the watch, attaching through special magnet-free micro-suction technology. Next, the sensor is connected to wearers’ smartphones via an app. Once in place, wearers can...

A smart mask analyses the breath to diagnose illnesses. It could also measure alcohol levels. Now a French startup is offering a simpler way to test our ability to drive. Its chip-like device fits easily onto a key ring. One touch of a button and its patented sensors detect alcohol indicators present on users’ skin, which are used to...

Dialysis could soon be administered on the move. But movement remains an issue for some people with diabetes, owing to nerve problems in their feet. Enter a Swiss startup and its smart knee-high socks. Sensors embedded in the sole capture the pressure exerted by users while walking, and send the information to a miniature control unit integrated into the...

Melting ‘pinecones’ provide safeguards against wildfires. A new sensor created by a Norwegian startup, meanwhile, ensures that food or medication preserves its integrity for as long as possible when transported by the cold chain. The measuring device is fitted to palettes, packages or containers. Integrated into an IoT platform, it wirelessly transmits the data it captures on temperature, light...

Fungi for healthy feet? No longer a paradox thanks to DIY insoles. Now a research team in Atlanta has invented a smart inner sole to support people with walking problems. Pressure data from each foot is collected thanks to 170 thin, flexible sensors spread across the soles underneath users’ feet. Meaning each step can be analysed to determine whether...

An armband concept detects and prevents hot flushes. Meanwhile, an Irish startup is focused on females of other species. The team’s sensor recognises the start of contractions in pregnant cows and heifers, denoted by specific movements of the tail. The sensor is registered in an app and connected with two telephone numbers. 3-4 days before calving it’s attached to...