STMicroelectronics and Mobile Physics join forces to create EnviroMeter for accurate air-quality monitoring on smartphones
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Insights
The collaboration between STMicroelectronics and Mobile Physics to create the EnviroMeter for smartphones is a significant development in the semiconductor and consumer electronics industries. This innovation represents a convergence of hardware and software to address a growing public health concern: air quality monitoring. The integration of this technology into smartphones could potentially disrupt the market for standalone air quality monitoring devices.
From a market perspective, the adoption of EnviroMeter could boost STMicroelectronics' sensor sales as smartphone manufacturers look to incorporate this feature into their devices. The demand for such technology is likely to grow given the increasing awareness of environmental health issues. Mobile Physics could also see an uptick in licensing its software, particularly if the technology becomes a standard feature in smartphones.
For consumers, the availability of accurate, real-time air quality data at their fingertips could lead to more informed lifestyle choices, potentially reducing exposure to harmful pollutants. This feature might also become a unique selling proposition for smartphone manufacturers, influencing consumer buying decisions and possibly leading to increased market share for early adopters.
The introduction of an accurate personal air quality monitor and smoke detector in smartphones, such as the EnviroMeter, has significant implications for public health. Air pollution is a critical global health issue, with millions of premature deaths annually linked to poor air quality. The ability to monitor particulates smaller than 2.5 microns is particularly notable, as these fine particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and are associated with various health problems, including heart disease, stroke and respiratory infections.
By providing individuals with real-time data on air quality, the EnviroMeter empowers them to make immediate decisions to reduce their exposure, such as closing windows, using air purifiers, or avoiding outdoor activities during high pollution events. This technology could also facilitate a larger dataset on air quality, potentially aiding researchers and policymakers in identifying pollution trends and developing targeted interventions.
The strategic partnership between STMicroelectronics and Mobile Physics can be viewed as a positive move for STMicroelectronics' financial outlook. The integration of their direct time-of-flight (dToF) sensor with Mobile Physics' software on a major platform like Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 suggests a high level of confidence in the product's market viability. As the technology is adopted by smartphone manufacturers, STMicroelectronics could see a significant increase in volume for its dToF sensors, which could positively impact revenue and profitability.
Investors should monitor the market's reception of smartphones equipped with the EnviroMeter. A strong consumer response could lead to broader adoption across the industry, potentially resulting in upward revisions of sales forecasts and stock valuations for STMicroelectronics. However, it is also important to consider the scalability of production and the ability of STMicroelectronics to meet potential increases in demand without compromising quality or incurring excessive costs.
STMicroelectronics and Mobile Physics join forces to create EnviroMeter for accurate air-quality monitoring on smartphones
Time-of-flight optical sensing enables world’s first accurate personal air quality monitor and smoke detector for smartphone
Geneva, Switzerland, Kfar Saba, Israel -- February 12, 2024 -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, and Mobile Physics, a software-development startup specialized in environmental physics, have revealed an exclusive collaboration that enables smartphones and other devices to measure household and ambient air quality with a built-in optical sensor.
Developed exclusively for ST’s multizone ranging sensors, which are widely used for features like camera autofocus and presence detection, this solution measures particulates in the surrounding air. With accuracy comparable to purpose-designed air-quality monitors, Mobile Physics’ EnviroMeter app acts as a personal, portable environment monitor and smoke detector to safeguard health - and enhance fire safety. Manufactured using ST’s low-power technology, it can operate ‘always on’ to provide constant awareness with minimal impact on battery life.
Each year, 3.2 million people die prematurely from illnesses attributable to household air pollution. The combined effects of ambient air pollution and household air pollution are associated with 6.7 million premature deaths annually (1). Monitoring air quality has become a real necessity and a public health issue. Leveraging ST’s market positioning to accelerate integration, the two companies have integrated Mobile Physics’ software and ST’s VL53L8 direct time-of-flight (dToF) sensor on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 smartphone platform. As showcased at the Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit 2023, this project creates the world’s first smartphone with always-on air-quality sensing and smoke detection.
“Personal environment monitoring can give everyone greater control over their own health and safety, using their smartphones. The customer will also have the option to opt in to access wider environmental data covering their local area,” said Erez Weinroth, CEO, Mobile Physics. “ST’s direct ToF sensors enabled us to deliver a solution with accuracy close to that of high-end dedicated environment monitors but at lower cost and in a smaller package.”
“The team at Mobile Physics has made ingenious use of the data from our dToF sensor to produce this groundbreaking yet economical and elegant environment monitor,” said Alex Balmefrezol, General Manager, Imaging Sub-Group at STMicroelectronics. “We are delighted to enable this new, wellness-enhancing feature that complements the established ToF use cases providing even more value to our customers.“
The air-quality sensing solution developed with ST is included in Mobile Physics’ EnviroMeter Software Development Kit (SDK), which also provides data on temperature, wind, precipitation, humidity, light-intensity, UV, and noise-level monitoring. Sensing can detect particles smaller than 2.5 micron and thus empower users to protect their health. The solution does not require any additional equipment; a standard dToF sensor and the Mobile Physics software is all that is needed.
To learn more about this solution, come to the ST booth (7A61) at Mobile World Congress 2024 where we will showcase the air-quality monitoring demonstration.
Technical Notes to Editors:
The VL53L8 is used in diverse electronic products including smart speakers, projectors, laptops, robots and home appliances, and door-entry systems, as well as IoT devices such as occupancy sensors. Any of these products can now deliver extra value by providing air-quality indication and fire protection with no extra hardware components required. The sensor’s small size, measuring just 6.4mm x 3.0mm x 1.75mm, eases integration anywhere a small form factor is required.
Engineers can accelerate projects including proximity and presence detectors using the development ecosystem available from ST. This includes the X-Nucleo-53L8A1 development board, the P-Nucleo-53L8A1 evaluation pack that also contains a microcontroller development board, and SATEL-VL53L8 breakout boards. The VL53L8 is in production now. Pricing information and sample requests are available at local ST sales offices.
About STMicroelectronics
At ST, we are over 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. As an integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.
About Mobile Physics
Founded in 2019, Mobile Physics is led by a team of 25 engineers and scientists. Its EnviroMeter provides hyper-localized environmental information and real-time environment monitoring to enable users to fully understand their exposure to various conditions and influences so they can make informed health decisions. Mobile Physics’ patented proprietary technology can be accessed through any smart devices with no extra hardware and can work offline, both indoors and outdoors.
For Press Information Contact:
Alexis Breton
Corporate External Communications, STMicroelectronics
alexis.breton@st.com
Erez Weinroth
CEO, Mobile Physics
erez@mobilephysics.com
Attachments
- T4603D -- Feb 12 2024 -- ST ToF in Mobile Physics enviro app_FINAL FOR PUBLICATION
- T4603D -- Feb 12 2024 -- ST ToF in Mobile Physics enviro app_IMAGE
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