Sensors

Photo of a dozen or so people in front of a brick wall

The Engine announces investments in first group of startups

New venture launched by MIT will support “tough-tech” companies at work on transformative ideas that take time to commercialize.

September 19, 2017

A three-day hackathon on campus brought together students and researchers from MIT and around Boston who developed functional fabric concepts to solve major issues facing soldiers in combat or training, first responders, victims and workers in refugee camps, and many others.

Hacking functional fabrics to aid emergency response

MIT and other innovators design novel solutions for the battlefield, disaster sites, and other dangerous environments.

August 1, 2017

The COBRA sensor is more portable and cost-effective than existing indirect calorimetry sensors. It includes a chest harness and bite grip that enable hands-free use of the system during exercise and training.

Monitoring metabolic energy expenditure, health, and fitness with a breath analyzer

Simple-to-use, low-cost respiratory sensor enables measurement and tracking of personal metabolism.

July 27, 2017

mPath's MOXO sensor is a wearable that resembles a bulky smartwatch. Placed on the wrist, it wirelessly measures changes in skin conductance (subtle electrical changes across the skin), which reflect sympathetic nervous system activity and physiological arousal. Spikes in conductance can signal stress and frustration, while dips may indicate disinterest or boredom.

Wearable device reveals consumer emotions

Startup’s stress sensor tracks users’ unconscious responses to products and experiences.

July 12, 2017

Jim Christian SM '14 is co-founder and vice president of product for Mountain Hub, an app-based network in which people can upload and share critical real-time information about outdoor conditions.

Using sensors and social networks to make slopes safer

Alumni aim to make outdoor sports safer through gathering data and building a real-time social network.

July 10, 2017

About30 gear icons in rainbow color assortment. Six of them have graphic of a person.

STEX event showcases innovations in fitness technology and science

Entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry experts build connections at workshop.

June 26, 2017

A panel discussion on the future of sensing technologies, moderated remotely by NPR talk show host Tom Ashbrook (not seen here), featured (from left to right) MIT Professor Vladimir Bulovic, The Engine President and CEO Katie Ray, MIT Professor David Mindell, Massachusetts Assistant Secretary of Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Katie Stebbins, and MIT Professor James Collins.

New center will push frontiers of sensing technology

First “center of excellence” for new MIT.nano facility will focus on novel detectors and imaging systems.

June 1, 2017

The Nereis virens worm inspired new research out of the MIT Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics. Its jaw is made of soft organic material, but is as strong as harder materials such as human dentin.

Worm-inspired material strengthens, changes shape in response to its environment

A bio-inspired gel material developed at MIT could help engineers control movements of soft robots.

March 20, 2017

Julia Heyman wins 2017 Carroll L. Wilson Award

Award will fund a 12-month project to study the implementation of wheelchair sensors in Indonesia.

March 7, 2017

A new system from CSAIL uses EEG brain signals to detect if a person notices robots making a mistake.

Brain-controlled robots

CSAIL system enables people to correct robot mistakes using brain signals.

March 6, 2017

Researchers have found that the hydrogel’s mostly watery environment helps keep nutrients and programmed bacteria alive and active. When the bacteria reacts to a certain chemical, the bacteria are programmed to light up, as seen on the left.

Living sensors at your fingertips

Cell-infused gloves and bandages light up when in contact with certain chemicals.

February 15, 2017

MIT chemical engineers have developed an extremely sensitive detector that can track single cells’ secretion of dopamine. These video stills show a single cell releasing dopamine.

Sensor traces dopamine released by single cells

New technology could help neuroscientists understand how dopamine influences brain activity.

February 6, 2017

PhD candidate Mohammad Ghassemi (left) and graduate student Tuka Alhanai's system can detect the tone of a conversation using a wearable device.

Wearable AI system can detect a conversation's tone

Coupled with audio and vital-sign data, deep-learning system could someday serve as a “social coach” for people with anxiety or Asperger’s.

February 1, 2017

Fadel Adib has joined the Media Lab faculty to head the new research group Signal Kinetics.

Fadel Adib joins Media Lab faculty

Adib is directing a new research group at the Media Lab, aiming to uncover, analyze, and engineer natural and human-made networks.

January 27, 2017

MIT Media Lab spinout Changing Environments is the brains behind the solar-powered Soofa Bench, which is equipped with an embedded charging station for mobile devices that also connects to wireless networks. Recently, the startup released the solar-powered Soofa Sign, which displays public transit times, weather, and events, among other city information.

Smart city fixtures

Startup brings solar-powered, phone-charging park benches and digital signs to cities worldwide.