SCiO is a handheld spectrometer device created by Consumer Physics Inc. that uses near-IR spectroscopy to scan materials and objects, identify their molecular properties, and provide composition information to users through a mobile app. It aims to make spectroscopy more accessible by being portable, affordable, and easy to use. While SCiO has garnered interest through crowdfunding, raising over $2.7 million on Kickstarter, some scientists remain skeptical of its capabilities and see limitations until it can be fully tested.

1. “SCiO” : The Sixth Sense Device
Interactive Media Business
Product Created By: Consumer Physics Inc.
Jonah Sherman-Waterman, Justin De Dominicis, Christopher McGregor

2. WHAT IS SCiO?
 SCiO is a device that scans raw materials or items and gives
the user information through an app on a smartphone.
 Based off scanning technology called “ near-IR spectroscopy”
which is often used in laboratories for scientific research
 SCiO expands on this technology making it mobile, handheld,
less expensive ($250 per unit), and accessible for anyone to
use

3. HOW SCiO WORKS
 The handheld spectrometer uses a molecular sensor that
identifies molecule properties found in any material
 SCiO scans the material to gain raw data and sends it to a
cloud based server which the user can access in real time
 Users are then able to reference and share this
information with one another via a mobile device

4. CORE FUNCTIONS OF SCiO
 Identification: we can identify items via their compounds
 Information: anyone can contribute information by scanning
objects (similar to Wikipedia)
 Interaction: a greater experience of interaction with our
physical environments

5. TECHNOLOGICAL INTERGRATION
 Integrates with your mobile device by using the app to
show you the data that SCiO has collected
 Shopping: people will be able to determine what produce
is best for them to purchase based on nutritional value
 Research: for experiments, work, and academic related
tasks

6. PRODUCTION AND CAMPAIGN
 SCiO has been under development
for several years and has gone
through 3 stages of finalizing their
product
 Since April 2014, SCiO entered the
marketing process and succeeded
with the help of Kickstarter
 Original goal was to reach $200,000
in financial support and they were
able to raise over $2,762,571

7. CONSUMER DEMOGRAPHICS
 Wide range of demographics for consumers who would
want to use this product for personal uses
 Anyone who has a mobile device can use SCiO
 SCiO is also beneficial for people who specialize in any
scientific or medical fields

8. AUDIENCE RESPONSES
 Average audience response has been positive, but
critical/scientific responses have not
 Certain scientific groups find this device’s capabilities to be
largely overstated, since their spectrometer ‘sacrifices
sensitivity for size.’
 Overall, the scientific response will be skeptical until they
can fully test it for themselves

9. DISCUSSING SCiO
 According to scientists, SCiO will not garner its results in
the method suggested by its KickStarter. Does this fact
change your view of it as a commercial product? Is it still a
product that you would buy?
 Do SCiO’s similarities to Wikipedia help or hinder it as a
product? Do you think the capacity for human interference
will be large enough to deter any positive results from
using SCiO?
 If you were to get a SCiO could you imagine yourself
scanning any objects or materials on a daily basis? If so
which objects/materials would you scan?

10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/903107259/scio-your-
sixth-sense-a-pocket-molecular-sensor-fo?ref=discovery
 www.consumerphysics.com
 http://www.cnet.com/news/kickstarter-science-beware-
the-marketing-hype/
 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7697390

11. “SCiO” : The Sixth Sense Device
Interactive Media Business
Product Created By: Consumer Physics Inc.
Jonah Sherman-Waterman, Justin De Dominicis, Christopher McGregor