As Isaac Asimov once quoted: "The most exciting phrase , that heralds new discoveries in science is not "Eurekha!" but "Thats funny...", and of course thats thoroughly applicable as to how Japanese companies think and pursue their R&D efforts, especially in the Mobile Technology.
Cellphones today pack so much punch than the ones that came out...well yesterday! Thats a never ending topic to say the very least.
Well, here is something that NTT DoCoMo is venturing upon. Yea, of course, a lot of us have never heard of this company in the mainstream biased news/media. Its Nippon Telephone and Telegraph ( Is it the Japanese version of AT&T, not sure :)) .
NTT DoCoMo is betting that your cell phone will someday take the place of a live doctor. The communications giant is working with scientists at The University of Tokyo to develop a biochemical analyzer (or “biochip”) that uses artificially synthesized DNA and other proteins to react with organic compounds and create a molecular communication system. According to a recent press release, the chip could be used to “transmit information about the biochemical conditions of living organisms, such as excitement, emotion, stress or disease.”
Take a look at the picture on how it really works:
This would mean, if implemented, and if it reaches the common masses, one would actually have to sweat, cry, spit or bleed onto you own phone, and then the biochip takes over the operation :)
If the system works properly, a cell phone with a biochip could analyze a drop of sweat or blood and determine any number of things, from stress level to viral or bacterial infection. This information could be used to monitor your health and could even be sent instantly to medical professionals. These kinds of devices could be highly beneficial for people who live in remote locations and organizations such as Doctors Without Borders. A phone with a biochip could also be used for things like water quality analysis.
The possibilities are endless !!
