The vision of CATSS is to harness the University of Minnesota's world-leading scientific expertise in sensory science to tackle the problems faced by millions of people with sensory deficits, such as low vision or hearing loss. With our aging population, sensory deficits that cut people off from their social and physical environment will have an increasingly devastating impact at both the individual and societal levels.

The Center combines the forces of scientists, clinicians, and engineers from the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic with the strong medical devices industry already present in the metropolitan Minneapolis area. The University of Minnesota has committed substantial funds and resources towards founding CATSS, and it officially opened in July 2015. To ensure its long-term success, CATSS will earn support from industry, government, and foundations to support its ongoing mission through applied and translational research projects that lead to tangible improvements in quality of life.