The nose of a dog is incredibly sensitive. Now machines are being trained to match it. With the help of artificial intelligence, electronic 'noses' are being developed to sniff out complex odours, including diseases.
Chris Vallance, presenter of the BBC's Tech Life programme, visited a company working on the technology. Odour contains information, the programme notes, and these devices aim to decode it – potentially offering a non-invasive way to detect illnesses early.
“AI-powered electronic noses are being trained to detect diseases by smell, inspired by dogs' sensitivity.”
The episode, broadcast on 21 July 2026, also features a segment from Paris, where Shiona McCallum explores tech that can help people understand their sleep. Meanwhile, Liv McMahon accompanies Vallance on a walk in a park to test bird identification apps, which are proving a hit, especially with younger users.
But the central story is the electronic nose – a machine that could one day rival a dog's olfactory prowess. The implications are significant: if AI can learn to recognise the chemical signatures of diseases, it might transform diagnostics. For now, the technology remains in development, but the promise is clear. As Vallance puts it, the show offers a glimpse into “the tech that can help us understand” not just sleep or birds, but the invisible world of scent itself.
The programme, produced by Tom Quinn, is available for over a year on BBC Sounds.