Sony ‘smell’ device expected to help dementia diagnosis

Sony Corp. will begin selling a device to medical and research institutions in spring next year that can measure an individual’s sense of smell by emitting 40 di erent odors.

Since the device makes olfactory measurement easy, it is expected to be useful in the early detection of Parkinson’s disease and dementia. A person’s sense of smell is believed to decline due to both diseases.

e device, which measures about 40 centimeters in length and width, emits

ve types of odors, including sweet and stinky, at eight different strength levels through a hole in the top. People sni these odors and select what they think they smelled on a tablet. e device is expected to be sold for around ¥2.3 million.

According to Sony, conventional olfactory measurement requires a special environment equipped with deodorizing functions to prevent odor leaks a ecting the test. anks to built-in technology to control air

ow, however, the new device allows smells to be easily controlled. (Oct. 19)

The Yomiuri Shimbun A man measures his sense of smell using a device developed by Sony Corp. in Minato Ward, Tokyo.