San Francisco-based startup Olden Labs has launched AI-powered 'smart cages' designed to innovate animal research and longevity studies.

Smart cages employ near-infrared cameras, microphones, and AI to monitor animal health, offering automated data collection that is cost-effective and enhances reproducibility and welfare.

Dr. Michael Florea, co-founder and CEO of Olden Labs, was inspired to create the technology based on challenges he faced in manual animal research.

The technology tracks over 15 biomarkers per animal, improving research success rates and reducing clinical translation costs.

Olden Labs envisions their smart cage technology becoming a cloud service for real-time, remote monitoring and data collection in research.

The startup has secured backing from CHMBR Partners, Healthspan Capital, Infinita Fund, and received a grant from the Mercatus Center's Emergent Ventures fund.