Smart dust sensors must be relatively small and portable.

Pneumatic or electric tools with portable dust collectors should be used.

Pneumatic or electric tools with portable dust collectors should be used.

Dirt Detect dust collectors recognize areas with more concentrated dirt allowing the robot to thoroughly clean them

Dirt Detect dust collectors recognize areas with more concentrated dirt allowing the robot to thoroughly clean them

Dirt Detect dust collectors recognize areas with more concentrated dirt allowing the robot to thoroughly clean them

Dust sensors developed by Panasonic detected dust that human eyes could not see, adding visual elements to vacuum cleaners.

The first-of-their-kind fine dust sensors from Siemens are specifically designed to monitor and control air pollution in offices and other indoor spaces.

Pister said the wireless frequencies that smart dust sensors use to communicate -- which work kind of like Wi-Fi -- have security built into them.