Empathy Sensor, a startup affiliated with the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), has developed an ultrafine dust measuring device equipped with an AI-based, ultra-compact dehumidifying device, significantly enhancing the accuracy and usability of real-time air quality monitoring technology. This technology has been recognized for its high accuracy by a U.S. air quality assessment agency, demonstrating its potential for global commercialization. Existing air quality measurement technologies have limited real-time response. Beta-ray attenuation, which involves capturing and analyzing air, provides only one-hour averages. Detection limits in low-concentration environments have reduced data reliability. Furthermore, large dehumidification devices, measuring up to one meter in length, consume significant power and are difficult to install and maintain, limiting spatiotemporal resolution.

To address these issues, the research team at Gonggam Sensor Co., Ltd. embarked on the development of a light-scattering-based ultrafine dust measuring device. Noting that particle size and scattered light characteristics vary depending on the hygroscopicity of ultrafine dust, they designed a direct-heating dehumidifying device precisely controlled by AI. Through this, we succeeded in miniaturizing existing large equipment to the 1-inch level, and secured a global patent for the related technology.

This device has been officially verified by the U.S. AQMD and recognized as having the highest accuracy in AQ-SPEC. In a 2023 field test, it recorded a correlation coefficient of 0.97 for PM1.0, and in a 2024 laboratory test, it recorded correlation coefficients of 1.0 for both PM1.0 and PM2.5, demonstrating measurement accuracy that perfectly matches the reference equipment.

Additionally, this device was installed on the Araon, an icebreaker of the Korea Polar Research Institute, and operated reliably with a 0% failure rate in the Antarctic and Arctic routes. It also participated in the NASA-led joint Asian air quality survey, securing global reliability.

Empathy Sensor also developed the "Air Alarm G" app, a real-time, personalized air quality alarm service based on this technology. Users can set ultrafine dust levels based on their health status and minimize exposure through alarms. Currently, the app is being tested at bus stops in the Daedeok Innopolis and at national roadside monitoring stations in Seoul. Designated an Excellent R&D Innovation Product by the Ministry of Science and ICT, it is providing real-time information in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon.

CEO Son Myung-hee said, “K-AQM, which provides a total solution from real-time measuring devices to personal health subscription alarm services, is a model that Korea is attempting for the first time,” and added, “We want to contribute to reducing the damage caused by air pollution.”

This research was conducted with the support of the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Research and Development Special Zone Promotion Foundation.