K9 is a common Anglo-Saxon abbreviation derived from "canine," which is pronounced the same as K9. The abbreviation can therefore be found in many contexts in which dogs play a role, for example as the name for police dog squads. And now K9 has also found its way into the field of high technology. Altered Carbon, a young company based in Bristol, UK, has given an odor sensor it has developed the meaningful name "K9sense" - as a reminiscence of the highly sensitive olfactory organ of our four-legged friends.

Up to 100 times more sensitive than comparable sensors

Behind Altered Carbon's development is in fact a revolutionary new type of sensor that will enable computers, stationary machines and, of course, mobile robots to decode chemical compounds - and thus also detect odors. The multi-array sensor, which is based on advanced graphene, is linked to an AI that is responsible for identifying the recorded scent signature. Such a scent, by the way, is so unique in chemical terms that Altered Carbon calls it a kind of digital fingerprint.

Adaptable and frugal

The K9sense sensor is capable of detecting both individual gases and complex compounds. Thanks to a customization option, a pre-selection of up to five gases can be stored on the chip for faster and more reliable detection. Not only can the scalable sensor technology be quickly tailored to specific applications, but it should also be possible to eliminate specific cross-sensitivities. Almost like a dog's nose, the K9sense can be operated almost without power, so the development should ultimately be suitable for everyday devices such as smart devices.

For a better world

The Altered Carbon team's stated goal is to use its developments to change the face of robotics and accelerate the age of automation to improve life on Earth and make better use of its resources. In the agri-food sector alone, it sees the potential to reduce global waste by up to 20 percent.

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