Overview
Research into mobile phone technology has continued to advance. In the near future, smartphones are expected to become more capable, potentially replacing some large specialized devices that cannot be carried. Recent media coverage highlighted three notable technologies that could appear on future smartphones.
Spectrometer
A spectrometer is a common tool in physics, chemistry, and biology that analyzes an object’s chemical composition by measuring light properties. Traditionally these instruments have been bulky and nonportable, but that is changing. The company Consumer Physics released the handheld Scio spectrometer, and researchers at MIT have recently developed a spectrometer small enough to fit inside a smartphone camera module.
When integrated into a smartphone, a spectrometer enables users to monitor skin conditions, track vital signs, identify environmental pollutants, and analyze the contents of food and pharmaceuticals.
High-precision GPS
Geolocation technology is already widely used in smartphones, but limited positional accuracy remains a key drawback. Engineers at the University of Texas have developed positioning software that achieves accuracy within one centimeter by leveraging low-cost antenna sensors found in smartphones.
Combined with the smartphone camera, this high-precision positioning system can produce immediate 3D mapping of the surrounding environment, enabling alignment with virtual reality systems. It can also improve vehicle sensing for more accurate mutual detection and avoidance on the road.
Gas Sensors
Chemists at MIT have developed an inexpensive wireless gas sensor capable of detecting ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, cyclohexanone, and other hazardous gases, with data readable by smartphones. The sensor does not need to be physically connected to the phone because most smartphones already support the required wireless data interfaces.
With such a sensor, smartphones can be used to detect explosive chemicals or dangerous environmental pollutants. Readings from the phone can be combined with location data to map and mark hazardous areas. The sensor can also detect chemicals emitted by spoiled food, allowing assessment of freshness.
