Meet Prof. Dr. Utku Buyuksahin, a dynamic and inventive individual in the workplace. As the President and CTO of Sensobright Industries LLC, he has a strong passion for converting scientific discoveries into practical applications. Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin has remarkable technical expertise with a vast background in mechanical engineering, robotics, and image processing that guides his team. He promotes a collaborative working environment, encouraging solution-oriented discussions and welcomes new ideas. His dedication towards company’s mission, along with his excellent leadership skills, empowers his team to achieve success and transform the field of sensory integration and automation.
Outside of work, Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin is a curious and imaginative person who draws inspiration from various sources. He also actively engages in music to stimulate his mind and fuel his imagination. He is both a music enthusiast and a skilled musician. He plays over 10 instruments and has been composing/playing/recording/arranging advertisement music for television channels for many years. Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin’s love for music extends beyond performance, as he actively explores different genres and attends live concerts to experience the transformative power of sound.
“When I look my tools in my bag, having over 180 granted patents, which is an indicator of an innovative mind, must be my greatest strength.” Says Prof. Dr. Utku Buyuksahin, and continues: “I think being a professional musician for decades must be the other strongest tool in my bag: As being an instrument player, I trained my mind to listen to the others, think very fast, react very fast but not break the rhythm of the others while doing this. As being a musical composer, I trained myself to be innovative and bring things together in a harmony. As being a musical arranger, I trained my brain for multitasking and used to handle over 10 tasks at the same time. This also gave me the ability to think all the aspects at the same time while searching for a solution or doing an invention.”
With a charismatic and friendly personality, he easily connects with people from all walks of life, showing genuine interest in their stories and perspectives. Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin’s insatiable curiosity and thirst for knowledge make him an engaging conversationalist, enriching any social gathering he attends.
Prof. Dr. Utku Buyuksahin’s dedication to making a positive impact on society and his unwavering commitment to advancing technology have earned him respect both professionally and personally. In 2019, he was honored as “One of The Top 25 Scientists Worldwide” by the Falling Walls Foundation, which includes the President of the Nobel Foundation among its board members. He has also been recognized as a “Most Influential Leader to Follow in 2023,” “Innovator of the Month,” and “Star of Innovation,” among other accolades, and has graced the covers of numerous technology and business magazines.
The Company
Sensobright Industries is an advanced technology company specializing in tactile sensor solutions that are poised to transform the way we perceive and interact with the world. Sensobright is backed by INVENTRAM and KOC Holding (which is one of the Global Fortune500 companies). Sensobright is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation, developing groundbreaking products that harness the power of optics-based tactile sensing technology. Among its impressive portfolio, Sensobright offers the Sensobright Smart Surface, a revolutionary solution that utilizes Magic Silicone to create force maps and enable touchpad functionalities on various surfaces. Additionally, the Sensobright Tactile Sensor sets a new standard for sensitivity and resolution, surpassing human capabilities. Its applications span across industries such as robotics, automotive, and medical devices.
Furthermore, Sensobright Industries is on the verge of introducing its cutting-edge Laparoscopic Surgery System, which seamlessly integrates AI software and highly sensitive sensors. This innovative system aims to enhance minimally invasive surgeries, improving diagnostic capabilities and patient outcomes. With a track record of over 140 internationally granted patents, Sensobright Industries remains at the forefront of the tactile sensing industry. Through relentless innovation, the company continues to expand the realm of possibilities, providing state-of-the-art solutions for a wide range of sectors.
From Scholar to Serial Innovator
Before Sensobright Industries was founded, Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin developed a diverse and extensive background that formed the basis for his journey as an entrepreneur. He completed his BS in mechanical engineering in 2004 and pursued graduate studies in structural design, earning an MSc in 2006 and a PhD in 2010. During this time, he also obtained a BS in business administration and expanded his expertise to include robotics, image processing, sensors, motion control, and neuromodulation. Driven by a relentless thirst for knowledge and innovation, he established himself as a respected figure in the field by publishing groundbreaking research papers and collaborating with renowned institutions. Within academia, he authored more than 20 articles and 2 books, served as the vice chairman of the graduating department, and worked as an editor for multiple international scientific journals in the Science Citation Index.
Driven by his passion for practical applications in real-world settings, Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin dedicated more time to production techniques and the integration of sensors into automation. He constructed a 6x5x5 ft 3-axis CNC milling machine entirely from scratch in his apartment, allowing him to develop over 70 robotics applications. Notable creations included a 6-degrees-of-freedom flight simulator and an 11-degrees-of-freedom automated HEPA filter test robot. In 2011, he submitted his first international patent application, which eventually resulted in him being granted 186 patents as of June 2023.
Innovation Catalyst
Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin possesses a talent for identifying emerging trends in the tech industry. He closely monitors the latest advancements and integrates them into his work at Sensobright. By staying ahead of the curve, he ensures that his company maintains its position at the forefront of technological progress. As an innovative thinker, Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin excels at translating daring ideas into practical solutions. He firmly believes that every problem has multiple solutions and dedicates time and effort to develop inventive approaches. His ability to think creatively and synthesize diverse concepts allows him to create pioneering technologies.
Achieving such remarkable accomplishments requires a combination of multidisciplinary expertise, strong work ethics, and a creative and innovative mindset. This unique combination is rare, yet attainable through a commitment to continuous learning and drawing inspiration from successful leaders. According to Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin, some leaders struggle to adapt to rapidly changing environments and resist embracing new technologies and trends. Additionally, he observes that many emerging leaders find it challenging to think beyond short-term goals and fail to articulate a compelling long-term vision.
Revolutionizing Surgical Expertise
Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin envisions that the greatest advancements in society, research and development, and people’s lives will be achieved through the utilization of our laparoscopic surgery device. Traditionally, surgeons are required to serve a minimum of five years to gain the necessary experience and perform numerous surgeries during this period. However, with Sensobright’s laparoscopic device technology, they can transfer invaluable expertise to other surgeons through “sensitive and trained” laparoscopic devices. This is expected to significantly increase the success rate of surgeons during their initial five years of performing laparoscopic surgeries.
Recent studies have shown that by taking necessary precautions to prevent surgery-related metastasis, it is estimated that an additional 21% of patients, approximately 240,000 individuals, undergoing surgery in the United States in 2022 could be completely cured. In other words, by implementing their system in cancer-focused minimally invasive surgeries, the potential arises to save the majority of these 240,000 lives and reduce healthcare spending by a significant portion of the estimated $24 billion. This substantial impact on both lives saved and healthcare expenditure is the outcome they anticipate through the application of their technology and products.
Guiding the Path of Innovation
In his capacity as the President of Sensobright Industries, Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin assumes various key responsibilities. His primary role is to provide overall leadership and management to the company. This entails establishing the direction and vision for the organization and ensuring that all operations align with its goals. Additionally, he serves as CTO, the technical leader, guiding the team in their research and development endeavors. Drawing upon his extensive engineering expertise, he oversees the company’s R&D and manufacturing activities, actively participating in solution-oriented discussions to address technical challenges.
Another crucial aspect of Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin’s role is to secure investments and cultivate relationships with investors and stakeholders. He represents the company in external engagements and collaborations, acting as a spokesperson for Sensobright Industries. Lastly, he endeavors to foster a culture of innovation and excellence within the organization, inspiring the team to continuously strive for improvement.
Advancements in Miniaturized Sensors and AI-Driven Tactile Technology
The industry is currently witnessing two significant trends: the miniaturization of sensors and the integration of artificial intelligence. Sensobright Industries has developed proprietary technologies that facilitate the seamless integration of millions of tactile receptors and efficient data transmission through a single USB cable. Leveraging the capabilities of miniaturized receptor arrays, they have implemented this technology at the tip of laparoscopic surgery tools. However, the full potential of this integration is realized when the sensor data is effectively interpreted.
By employing embedded features like adaptive sensing and object recognition through data analysis, AI-powered tactile sensors can enhance human-machine interaction. These sensors enable machines to comprehend and respond to touch gestures and tactile cues in a manner similar to medical professionals. This breakthrough will pave the way for the development of more intuitive and responsive interfaces, ultimately improving user experiences in the healthcare sector and various other domains, including robotics and virtual reality, alongside our other applications.
Taking a Leap of Innovation
As an accomplished engineer, scientist, and musician, Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin made the bold decision to leave the familiar comforts of home and long-established contacts behind and relocate to the United States. This move was motivated by the desire to immerse himself in the thriving technology scene and be at the epicenter of technological advancements. It is considered the most significant professional risk he has taken.
Looking ahead five years, Sensobright anticipates substantial growth and continued innovation. The trend of sensor miniaturization will persist, and Sensobright’s technology is poised to lead this market trend. With its highly compact tactile sensors, the company stands at the forefront of sensor miniaturization, positioning itself for further success and technological advancements.
Shaping the Future of Sensory Integration
Sensobright Industries actively explores new avenues and expands its technological advancements. They have achieved success in equipping robots with advanced tactile sensors and transforming car armrests into control surfaces. Presently, Sensobright’s primary focus lies in developing implementation and customization solutions for various industries. Of particular significance is their endeavor to introduce tactile and temperature sensing capabilities to laparoscopic surgery devices.
By harnessing the power of AI software, the company strives to enhance surgical procedures by enabling the detection of cancerous tissues and internal bleeding. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize laparoscopic surgery, significantly improving diagnostic capabilities and patient outcomes. The anticipated impact includes the potential to save tens of thousands of lives and billions of dollars annually.
Having established a strong global presence in the medical field, Sensobright envisions the development of groundbreaking technologies that may currently be beyond imagination. Their aim is to push the boundaries of what is achievable in the realm of tactile sensors, opening up new possibilities for the future.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
