Available at the moment only in China, the mobile device can measure the chemical structure of liquids and solids thanks to a molecular sensor developed by a Tel Aviv company
Not only virtual and augmented reality, smartphones are preparing to experience a new revolution. And this is thanks to Changhong, a Chinese company that has developed the first cell phone capable of seeing inside objects
A bit like what happens at the airport at baggage control. The smartphone, which the Asian company calls H2, in fact integrates a molecular sensor that allows the device to read the chemical composition of any object. As Changhong says, the smartphone can be used, for example, to measure the amount of fat in our body, the sugar level of an ice cream, the active ingredient of a drug and much more. Just bring the H2 close to the object and the sensor will scan it. The data will then be transmitted to the smartphone where it can be viewed by users on the appropriate application.
How the H2 molecular sensor works
(Taken from Vimeo)
The heart of this truly innovative smartphone is represented, as seen, by the molecular sensor. The H2 integrates a smaller version of SCiO, a molecular sensor developed three years ago by Consumer Physics, an Israeli startup. It's a device that uses Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure the chemical structure of objects. Unlike Consumer Physics' gadget, the sensor is directly inserted into the smartphone. In this way the scanning of products will be easier and immediate.
Other features of the H2
(Taken from Vimeo)
Available only in China, the H2 also has other important features that bring it closer to the new top of the range devices. Like the Asus Zenfone AR, the Chinese smartphone promises to work with virtual and augmented reality. It features a button on one of the two sides that is used to increase battery life and clear the memory of cache. The H2 then mounts a 16-megapixel rear camera, has a fingerprint sensor and has a 6-inch Full-HD display. While the chip-set is an octa-core with a power of 2GHz.
Will it be safe and reliable?
Turning back to SCiO's molecular sensor, this technology raises numerous doubts. Consumer Physics claims that the molecular sensor is capable of assessing the chemical composition of many liquids and solids, which includes food and drugs. The main question that seems fair to ask at this point is: will it be reliable? Can it actually be used safely? At the moment unfortunately it is not possible to know.
Price and release date
At the moment, the Changhong H2 will be available only in China: the release is scheduled before the end of the year at a price of about 400 euros.
The Changhong H2 will be available only in China at a price of about 400 euros.