Ankita
Member • Apr 2, 2015
Star Trek's Iconic Tricorder Comes To Life, Thanks To Tel Aviv Engineers
If you binge watched Star Trek at least once and are in love with all the gadgets and technology shown in the world's most popular sci-fi show, well, you know what a Tricorder does. Well, a team of engineers from a Israeli startup named Unispectral Technologies, backed by Tel Aviv University’s Ramot Organization, claim that they have created a real life tricorder. Described as the multifunction hand-held device used for sensor scanning as well as analysing & recording data in the Star Trek universe, a Tricorder for the starship's engineering purposes in named so because it has 3 primary functions: Sensing, Computing and Recording. So, tricorder is short for a "TRI-function reCORDER".
To develop that fictional device in reality, the Israeli team came up with an optical lens and image processing software powerful enough to turn any smartphone into a hyperspectral sensor. Using it, the cameras can break down the chemical components of almost any object without the need of being near or collecting physical samples. Prof. David Mendlovic of TAU's School of Electrical Engineering and his research team at Unispectral obtained a patent for an optical component based on existing MEMS technology. By using a combo of this optical device and the image processing software, the team has been able to achieve superior imaging performance as well as hyperspectral imaging capabilities. The team is already envisioning the applications of this technology in a wide range of sectors including - biotech, automobiles, consumer electronics and even homeland security.
This is not the first time that engineering researchers have tried to create a real life replica of the sci-fi device. Many previous attempts have been publicly announced. For instance, in May 2008, Georgia Tech unveiled their portable hand-held multi-spectral imaging device, which helped in detecting the severity of an injury under the skin. Another such attempt came to light when, in 2011, the X Prize Foundation announced with Qualcomm Incorporated the Tricorder X Prize, a $10 million incentive to develop a mobile device that can diagnose patients. Two startups came forward to achieve that. Later, the same year an Android app from moonblink claimed to have the tricorder capabilities.
What are your thoughts about such a technology being made available to masses? Share with us in comments below.
Source: #-Link-Snipped-#
To develop that fictional device in reality, the Israeli team came up with an optical lens and image processing software powerful enough to turn any smartphone into a hyperspectral sensor. Using it, the cameras can break down the chemical components of almost any object without the need of being near or collecting physical samples. Prof. David Mendlovic of TAU's School of Electrical Engineering and his research team at Unispectral obtained a patent for an optical component based on existing MEMS technology. By using a combo of this optical device and the image processing software, the team has been able to achieve superior imaging performance as well as hyperspectral imaging capabilities. The team is already envisioning the applications of this technology in a wide range of sectors including - biotech, automobiles, consumer electronics and even homeland security.
This is not the first time that engineering researchers have tried to create a real life replica of the sci-fi device. Many previous attempts have been publicly announced. For instance, in May 2008, Georgia Tech unveiled their portable hand-held multi-spectral imaging device, which helped in detecting the severity of an injury under the skin. Another such attempt came to light when, in 2011, the X Prize Foundation announced with Qualcomm Incorporated the Tricorder X Prize, a $10 million incentive to develop a mobile device that can diagnose patients. Two startups came forward to achieve that. Later, the same year an Android app from moonblink claimed to have the tricorder capabilities.
What are your thoughts about such a technology being made available to masses? Share with us in comments below.
Source: #-Link-Snipped-#