Dogs have an extraordinarily sensitive sense of smell, and odour carries a wealth of information. Now, with the help of artificial intelligence, machines are being trained to mimic that ability — sniffing out complex odours, including diseases.
Chris Vallance, presenter of the BBC’s Tech Life podcast, recently visited a company developing these electronic noses. The technology, still in its early stages, promises to detect illnesses by analysing the chemical signatures in breath or skin. As Vallance explored, the potential is vast, though no specific diseases or timelines were revealed.
“AI-powered electronic noses are being developed to detect diseases, inspired by dogs' sense of smell.”
Elsewhere in the programme, Shiona McCallum travelled to Paris to look at technology that helps us understand sleep. The segment examined how devices and sensors can track sleep patterns, offering insights into rest and health. Again, the report stayed at a general level, focusing on the capabilities rather than naming specific products.
And in a lighter segment, Liv McMahon joined Vallance on a walk in a park. There, they tested one of several bird identification apps that have become popular — particularly among younger users. The apps use sound recognition to identify bird calls, turning a simple stroll into a wildlife-spotting adventure.
Producer Tom Quinn oversaw the episode, which aired on 21 July 2026. The episode is available for over a year on BBC Sounds.
The convergence of AI and olfaction is still emerging, but the notion of machines that can smell as well as — or better than — dogs is no longer science fiction. Whether for medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring or everyday convenience, electronic noses are starting to make their presence felt.
As for sleep and bird apps, these technologies are already in consumers’ hands, offering practical benefits. The question is how far the electronic nose will go, and whether it can replicate the subtlety of a dog’s nose in real-world settings.