The Utah-based startup Pollen Sense LLC, has built a machine that offers real time automated pollen imaging and analysis provided through a smartphone app.
In simplistic terms, the machine, about the size of a small toolbox, pulls in air samples, is then read by a microscope that feeds information through a computer to an smartphone app that gives an individual the current pollen counts and what kind of pollen it is.
The app can also receive information from the user and keep a history of what pollen affects the user and provide the user with warnings and updates. The app is initially free but will have some cost if used for more alerts and warnings.
“It is sending information every five minutes,” said Nathan Allan, co-founder. “You can get it (on the app) every hour. For the first time ever, you can prevent and know when and where you can go outside.”
