Sony Corp. will start selling a device to medical institutions in the spring of next year that can measure one’s sense of smell and could help detect dementia early on, the electronics giant announced on Oct. 5.
A personit is The sense of smell is thought to decline in the early stages of dementia.
The device measures approximately 40 centimeters in length and width.
It emits five types of smells such as a flower, a fruit, and the smell of something rotten. By changing the strength of these emissions, the equipment can produce a total of 40 odors.
People sniff these odors and their sense of smell is measured. They can check the result using a dedicated app.
The cartridge containing the source of the odor is sealed to prevent any leakage. The device also has a deodorizing function, allowing the operator to try different smells one after the other.
The estimated market price is around 2.3 million yen ($16,000).
The olfactory measurement is usually done by soaking a paper in a liquid that gives off an odor and sniffing it in order from weakest to strongest. However, this takes time and a lot of work.
The test must also be suitable for air conditioning so that several odors do not mix.
Sony said the new device can cut measurement time by a third compared to the current standard of around 30 minutes.
Sony also plans to apply the device to the entertainment sector, with a virtual “metaverse”” space strongly in mind.
“We aim to create new expressions and experiences (using this technology) in entertainment as well in the future,” said Osamu Hajimoto, vice president of the company’s New Business and Technology Development Group, during a talk. a press conference on October 5.