What if farmers could apply fertilizers and pesticides only on areas where they are needed? Or if we could tell if food is rotten on the inside by just looking at it?
Hyperspectral imaging makes this possible. The AGATE sensor provides a hundred times more information than a regular camera or human eyes can ever collect, allowing us to see the invisible. Its tiny size makes hyperspectral imaging more accessible than ever. When applied to the whole food production chain from producing to logistics and consumption, the waste reduction potential becomes immense.
The hyperspectral imaging technology analyzes a wide spectrum of light with an interpretation algorithm. Traditional imaging assigns a main colour (red, green or blue) to each pixel, but hyperspectral imaging uses thousands of colours to capture the full range of information within a single pixel.
This level of detail has the potential to impact several fields. For example, in food production, more precise information about nutrient distribution on the field or ripeness of fruit could decrease excessive fertilisation and food waste. In just a few years, Agate may become standard equipment for smartphones, drones, or self-driving cars.
A hyperspectral snapshot captures all the light in a scene, not just colours or infrared light. The extra information is useful in many applications, from agriculture and conservation to forensics and food safety.
Agate Sensors, a startup originating from Aalto University, has raised €5.6 million in funding for its spectral sensor technology
