Koniku, a Nigerian-founded biotech company, is making waves with its groundbreaking innovations in biotechnology. The company’s most notable achievement is the development of “smell cyborgs,” a revolutionary technology that fuses synthetic biology and silicon chips to detect airborne particles, such as chemicals and explosives, in real time. This innovation is being utilized in industries like aviation, security, and healthcare to enhance safety and detection capabilities.

Founded by Oshiorenoya Agabi, Koniku has created these smell cyborgs by embedding living neurons onto computer chips, allowing the devices to mimic the human sense of smell. According to Agabi, this technology has the potential to detect various substances, from explosives in airports to viruses in healthcare environments. The innovation is a significant leap forward in the biotech space, combining advanced engineering with biology to address real-world problems​.

Application in Aviation and Security

One of the key sectors benefitting from Koniku’s biotech innovations is the aviation industry. In 2021, the company partnered with major airlines and airports to deploy its smell cyborg technology for real-time detection of hazardous materials. By enhancing the ability to identify explosives and other threats, Koniku’s technology aims to improve airport security, making passenger screening more accurate and efficient​.

In the security sector, Koniku’s smell cyborgs have attracted attention from defense and intelligence agencies, particularly for their ability to detect trace chemicals associated with dangerous substances. This application is being explored for both military use and civilian security, further broadening the scope of Koniku’s impact​.

Challenges and Industry Response

While Koniku’s innovations hold immense promise, the company faces several challenges as it scales its operations. Developing biotechnology that integrates living cells with silicon requires extensive testing to ensure the reliability and safety of the products. Furthermore, regulatory approvals and industry adoption will be critical in determining the long-term success of these technologies. Despite these hurdles, the biotech and security industries are optimistic about the potential of smell cyborgs, with ongoing investments aimed at further development​.

As biotech continues to evolve, Koniku’s innovations are positioning the company at the forefront of a new wave of technological advancements. By leveraging the power of biology to solve complex detection problems, Koniku is paving the way for future applications in healthcare, defense, and beyond.