Your smartphone knows air quality. This startup believes it!

MobilePhysics, a startup, has repurposed the sensors in leading Android smartphones to measure air quality, smoke levels, and more. The technology, called Mobile Physics, is embedded in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and can be implemented by phonemakers in a preinstalled app. The technology can measure PM2.5 pollutant particles, which exceed the World Health Organization’s standards and pose a significant health risk to the majority of the global population. The app will notify users when their surroundings become hazardous and provide suggestions for improving air quality. While no phones have been confirmed to come preinstalled with Mobile Physics, the company has tested the technology on Google Pixel 8 and Xiaomi 11 Ultra. Mobile Physics aims to expand its capabilities as phones add more sensors and cameras. This technology could have significant implications for public health and is a crucial step towards addressing the dangers of poor air quality.