Ainos and ugo have partnered to present a way of scent to service robots. Supply: Ainos
Not solely are robots getting smarter, however they’re additionally changing into extra perceptive, because of advances in synthetic intelligence and new sensors. Ainos Inc. final week introduced a strategic partnership with ugo Inc. to combine its AI Nostril expertise with ugo’s autonomous robotic.
The businesses stated the collaboration marks a milestone within the digitization of the sense of scent and can present new capabilities for robots in industrial security, healthcare, and public safety.
“This partnership will likely be a defining second in our journey to digitize scent,” stated Chun-Hsien (Eddy) Tsai, chairman, president and CEO of Ainos. “By combining AI Nostril’s cutting-edge olfactory sensing with ugo’s superior robotics, we are going to create a brand new class of clever machines that may see, hear, and now scent.”
Ainos expertise detects VOCs
San Diego, Calif.-based Ainos stated it develops medical and healthcare methods primarily based on its its proprietary AI Nostril and VELDONA applied sciences. The title “Ainos” combines “AI” and “Nostril” to suggest the firm‘s dedication to enabling AI with the power to scent and people to dwell more healthy.
Its clinical-stage product pipeline consists of telehealth-friendly point-of-care testing (POCT) methods powered by AI Nostril, VELDONA human and animal oral therapeutics, and human orphan medication.
AI Nostril, initially developed for medical diagnostics, mimics human olfaction by detecting and analyzing unstable natural compounds (VOCs). Backed by practically a decade of analysis and a robust patent portfolio, the sensor has already demonstrated its effectiveness in healthcare and industrial environments, in accordance with the corporate.
In Japanese semiconductor manufacturing services, AI Nostril has efficiently recognized 22 completely different VOCs with practically 80% accuracy. This demonstrates its potential to boost real-time security monitoring and environmental evaluation, stated Ainos.
Different efforts to present robots a way of scent embody analysis at Tel Aviv College, TAST-E, and Scentience.ai.
ugo robots scent business alternatives
Based in 2018, ugo stated it combines some great benefits of remote-controlled robots and absolutely automated robots for operations tailor-made to every buyer web site. “ugo” is the Tokyo-based firm‘s next-generation avatar robotic designed to collaborate with individuals and digitally rework enterprise.
“Olfaction is the following frontier in robotics,” acknowledged Ken Matsui, consultant director of ugo. “Integrating AI Nostril into our robots will considerably develop their sensory intelligence, making them simpler in real-world functions throughout industries.”
“Our robots, together with ugo Professional, ugo Ex, and ugo mini, are deployed in Japanese sectors dealing with employee shortages, akin to safety patrols and inspection duties, in workplace buildings, information facilities, manufacturing crops, and public services,” he added. “By equipping ugo robots with AI-driven scent detection, we’re taking automation to the following stage, offering clever options that enhance office security, environmental monitoring, and healthcare help.”
ugo is Japan’s largest service robotic firm by market share, in accordance with Fuji Keizai Group’s “2024 Version: Present Standing and Future Prospects of the Worldwide Robotic-Associated Market – Service Robotic Version” printed on Jan. 15, 2024.
Companions work to appreciate smarter robots
“Till now, robots have relied totally on imaginative and prescient, sound, and contact to understand their environment,” stated Ainos. “Scent has remained an unsolved technological problem — however Ainos is about to alter that.”
Ainos and ugo laid out steps of their plan to deliver robots with AI-powered olfaction from idea to actuality:
- Know-how integration and prototyping: The companions stated they’ll merge AI Nostril with ugo robots and conduct preliminary efficiency testing.
- Actual-world pilot deployments: The businesses will validate their collectively developed system in industries akin to semiconductor manufacturing and public security.
- AI optimization and efficiency enhancement: They plan to refine system efficiency and AI fashions primarily based on real-world information.
- World gommercialization and market growth: Ainos and ugo stated they’ll scale the deployment of AI Nostril-enabled robots worldwide.
Register now so you do not miss out!
Ainos and ugo listing use circumstances
Not solely can robots with olfactory notion present business worth, asserted Ainos and ugo, however they might additionally handle labor shortages in crucial industries worldwide. The businesses stated their methods might:
- Improve industrial security: Robots with a way of scent may very well be designed to alleviate human staff of hazardous inspections, releasing individuals to deal with high-value duties. They might detect gasoline leaks, determine poisonous chemical substances, and stop gear failures in semiconductor, chemical, and manufacturing crops.
- Strengthen public security: The built-in methods might help safety patrols by detecting explosives, narcotics, and unsafe substances in transportation hubs and important infrastructure. AI Nostril-integrated robots might present steady, automated surveillance in websites starting from airports to factories, stated the businesses.
- Advance environmental monitoring: They might present steady air high quality assessments, detect pollution, and help sensible metropolis initiatives.
- Remodel healthcare: As demand for providers surges due to getting older populations, the necessity for medical and caregiving staffers is rising. Ainos and ugo stated their robots might analyze VOC samples for early illness detection, help an infection management in hospitals, and monitor aged care services for hygiene and well being dangers.
“By combining AI-powered scent detection with autonomous robotics, Ainos and ugo will assist industries enhance effectivity, scale back operational prices, and improve office security whereas addressing the worldwide labor hole,” they stated.

Olfactory-enabled AI robots might serve a number of industrial use circumstances. Supply: Ainos
Robotic notion supplied through a number of fashions
By integrating AI Nostril into ugo’s robotic platform, the businesses stated they’re searching for potential income alternatives via numerous enterprise fashions:
- Know-how licensing and {hardware} gross sales: Ainos will license AI Nostril expertise to ugo, enabling ugo to supply premium olfaction-enabled robots.
- Robotics-as-a-service (RaaS): Companies can deploy the robots via subscription-based fashions for steady air monitoring and security inspections.
- Cloud-based scent intelligence: AI Nostril-generated information will likely be built-in into cloud analytics platforms, providing insights for sensible factories, healthcare, and safety functions.
- Upkeep and sensor optimization: Ongoing servicing, software program updates, and sensor calibration will guarantee long-term reliability and accuracy, stated the companions.
“Because the world faces growing challenges in workforce shortages, sustainability, and public security, this partnership will contribute to a better, more healthy, and safer future,” the businesses stated. “Ainos and ugo are dedicated to driving innovation that improves lives and helps industries in want of clever automation.”