Innovation of the week: The Auguscope
A gadget that diagnoses your air conditioner's malfunction by listening to it
"If you've ever tried to diagnose a car problem just by listening to it run, you've got a sense of what a startup called Augury is doing," said Rachel Metz at Technology Review. Augury makes an iPhone-connected gadget called an Auguscope that attaches to big, bulky machines and "listens." The Auguscope records ultrasonic sounds and vibrations; an app then compares the data to previous recordings stored on the company's servers to make a diagnosis, like whether a specific part needs to be replaced, or the unit itself needs a complete overhaul.
The firm is currently working with service companies that repair heating, ventilation, and cooling systems for commercial buildings. But one day it hopes to build its technology directly into consumer appliances, "making it possible for your washing machine or refrigerator to let you know when a part needs to be replaced."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published