Intelligent Sensor Technology, Inc.

Intelligent Sensor Technology, Inc., commonly known by its brand name Insent, is a Japanese company based in Atsugi, Kanagawa, that specializes in electronic tongue (e-Tongue) taste sensing systems. The company traces its origins to collaborative research begun in 1989 at the research laboratory of Anritsu Corporation, where researcher Hidekazu Ikezaki — now president of Insent — worked with Dr. Kiyoshi Toko, then at Kyushu University, to develop taste sensors. This research led to the world's first commercial taste sensing system, the SA401, launched in 1993. In 2002, the taste-sensor business was transferred from Anritsu Corporation to the newly independent Intelligent Sensor Technology, Inc. Insent's core product is the e-Tongue, a taste sensor system that uses proprietary lipid/polymer membranes to mimic biological taste reception. The system evaluates the five basic tastes — bitter, sour, salty, umami, and sweet — plus astringency, and is designed to correlate with human gustatory sensation. It provides objective taste scales based on the Weber-Fechner Law, high data reproducibility through automated sensor cleaning and checking, and measurements of both initial taste and aftertaste without multivariate analysis. The company reports that more than 700 business customers worldwide use its e-Tongue systems, supported by a network of more than 10 distributors globally. Insent's products are used across food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and other industries where objective taste evaluation is valuable. The company continues to release new models, such as the TS-6000A, and maintains its headquarters in Japan while serving an international customer base.

Intelligent Sensor Technology, Inc. (Insent) began as a collaborative research project in 1989 at the research laboratory of Anritsu Corporation in Japan. Hidekazu Ikezaki, then a researcher at Anritsu and now president of Insent, started work on taste sensors with Dr. Kiyoshi Toko, who was then an assistant professor at Kyushu University and is now a specially appointed professor at Nakamura Gakuen University. Kenshi Hayashi, then a graduate student and now a professor at Kyushu University, and Professor Satoru Iiyama at Kinki University also joined the research team. After about four years of collaboration between Anritsu and Kyushu University, the team successfully developed the world's first commercial taste sensing system, the SA401, in 1993. The SA401 used a robot arm to handle samples and rinse taste sensors attached to the arm tip. Analysis was performed using MS/DOS batch files, and ten 150-ml samples could be measured in a single run with seven types of taste sensors. At that time, measuring beer samples required the taste sensors to be directly immersed. In 2002, Insent took over the taste-sensor business from Anritsu Corporation and became independent as Intelligent Sensor Technology, Inc., headquartered in Japan. The company established a network of more than 10 distributors worldwide and has since served more than 700 customers globally. Its e-Tongue systems have evolved over the years, with new models such as the TS-6000A continuing to be released. The company remains focused on advancing taste sensing technology based on its patented lipid/polymer membrane sensors.

• 2002

  Insent takes over the taste-sensor business from Anritsu Corporation and becomes independent as Intelligent Sensor Technology, Inc.

• 1993

  World's first commercial taste sensing system, SA401, is developed and launched.

• 1989

  Collaborative research on taste sensors begins at Anritsu Corporation with Hidekazu Ikezaki and Dr. Kiyoshi Toko.

• New e-Tongue model TS-6000A is released.

Pioneer and specialist in objective taste measurement using biomimetic sensor technology, serving food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries worldwide.

• SA401 Taste Sensing System

  World's first commercial taste sensing system, launched in 1993. Used a robot arm for sample handling and sensor rinsing, with MS/DOS batch file analysis.

• TS-6000A e-Tongue

  New e-Tongue model released by Insent, featuring the company's patented taste sensor technology.

1. 1Insent | Intelligent Sensor Technology, Incinsentjp.com
2. 2About Us – Insent | Intelligent Sensor Technology, Incinsentjp.com
3. 3Intelligent Sensor Technology, Inc. (Japan) - Wikidatawikidata.org