Scientists have made a mind-boggling discovery: computers can now smell. They have successfully digitized the scent, beginning with the aroma of a fresh summer plum. It calls to mind the question of how we can teach a computer to understand something as complex as smell.
The Science Behind Smell
Smell is essentially detecting very tiny molecules of a substance present in the air, attaching to the receptors inside your nose, which sends impulses to the brain. From there, the brain creates a description of what’s being detected. Thereby providing us with different scents. Capturing and reconstructing the exact same molecule that carries the odor is far from simple.
How Computer can smell
To do that, it first captured the smell molecules released by a freshly-cut fresh plum within a particular capturing container. These it later analyzed through AI for their exact molecular structures. Image this as the training process of a computer in the shooting of a photomosaic-only now it will take chemical signatures rather than light.
It was at this juncture that the AI synthesized the same compounds using the molecular “photograph” as a recipe. Here’s the breakthrough: the synthesized version of the plum scent was indistinguishable from the real thing.
Potential Applications
This technology may be revolutionary. It could help in the diagnosis of diseases, identification of harmful gases, or even storing experiences in new ways. Imagine sharing not just what you saw and heard but also what you smelled during those memorable moments.
The company that spun this innovation out of Google research is using machine learning to understand the connection between molecular structures and odors. They have created a map showing how humans perceive smells.
The Dawn of Computers That Can Smell
This gave the computer 400 unidentified odor molecules. And it noted them all correctly. Researchers currently employ this expertise to uncover readily produced, environmentally benign compounds that may be used in fragrances. They intend to create fragrances that will ward against illnesses and insects in the near future.
This innovative work proves that “computers can smell” as human beings do. This way we are ushering to a new digital olfactory era by turning air to data.
Join the Conversation
What do you think about the invention of this technology? The computer can smell already has been discovered in the world. Just like the Humen smell in the world. That is, it will change the game concerning food, health, or safety industries. Let us know in the comments.
