Fitness tracker for the brain

Local company aims to improve people's cognitive wellness with smart glasses. By Charlotte Danby Faculty of Engineering Waterloo-based deep tech startup AdHawk Microsystems recently launched MindLink Air (TM), everyday glasses that can read its wearer's eye health and cognitive state using research-grade, camera-free eye-tracking technology. Its real-time insights help the wearer adjust their daily routine to improve productivity and avoid mental fatigue. Driven by its founders' desire to help people, AdHawk is a local success story that exemplifies Waterloo's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The company was co-founded in 2015 by University of Waterloo alumni from the Faculty of Engineering, including Dr. Neil Sarkar (BASc '01, MASc '03 and PhD '13), Sandro Banerjee (BASc '01), Dr. Nino Zahirovic (BASc '06 and PhD '11) and Dr. Raafat Mansour, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Today, they maintain strong ties to the University and Waterloo-based Velocity - Canada's most successful incubator. AdHawk employs a proud team made up of many Waterloo scientists, engineers and co-op students because, as Sarkar, the company's CEO says, "they're brilliant."  We asked Sarkar to expand on his journey from student to entrepreneur and tell us more about the breakthrough benefits of MindLink Air.