Sharper Sense

Sharper Sense is a company that has developed a wearable technology product designed to enhance sensory performance in humans. The company's main offering is a neuromodulation patch that, when placed on the neck, optimizes the mental state to improve the accuracy of hearing, vision, and touch. The patch works by stimulating a nerve that connects to the brain, activating the brain's natural mechanism for enhancing sensory processing.

This technology is based on the principle that when a person is alert and attentive, their brain optimizes sensory processing for accurately perceiving details. Sharper Sense's product replicates this beneficial state in a predictable and sustainable manner through non-invasive and comfortable nerve stimulation.

The company's founder, Charles Rodenkirch, PhD, is a biomedical engineer who focused his doctoral research on understanding how the brain's state affects sensory processing. Through his research, he was able to deconstruct the neural circuitry responsible for enhancing sensory acuity in response to critical situations or stimuli and develop Sharper Sense's technology to engage this heightened sensory state on-demand.

While the technology has potential applications in sports, where it can help athletes perceive changes on the playing field or practice at a higher level when fatigued, Sharper Sense also aims to make a profound difference in the lives of everyday people experiencing age-related diminished hearing and vision, as well as individuals with sensory impairment from neurological disorders like ADHD. The company is currently testing its technology for improving speech comprehension, a critical component of learning, independence, and social interaction.

Sharper Sense's early progress was accelerated by its participation in the Cornell Tech Runway Startups program, where it received pre-seed funding, research support, and access to facilities. This support enabled the company to build an experimental lab, conduct first-in-human testing, and publish a major article in Nature Scientific Reports in March 2024.