A Nature Communications research describes a small, wearable virtual reality (VR) interface that allows users to smell a variety of odours, including rosemary, mojito, pancake, and durian. The gadgets can quickly and correctly produce odours in a specific region and wirelessly link to VR environments for a more immersive and authentic user experience. According to the scientists, further study might allow users to identify odours while playing computer games, watching 4D movies, or in virtual instructional settings. [1]

Human-machine interaction systems have already been built in VR to replicate vision, sound, and touch, but creating a system for scent has proven difficult. Current scent interface concepts are in difficult forms, such as bottles of liquid perfume or wired, stiff VR headsets, which restrict their usability. Wearable odour generators that are lightweight, flexible, wireless, and offer a diverse range of odour kinds and configurable smell intensities have yet to be developed. [1]

Bottles of liquid perfume, an atomizer (a device that converts liquids into a fine mist), and some technique of blowing the atomized droplets out were commonly utilised in previous scent interfaces. This works, however it is rigid, has a limited operating duration between refills, and does not allow for easy intensity modulation. Because of these disadvantages, the gadgets are less suitable for VR systems. [2]

Figure 1. Device Features [3]

Figure 1 (a) shows Oder generator (OG), (b) shows device 1 based on 2 OGs and (c) shows device 2 based on 9 OGs. The new design uses small paraffin wax pads infused with scents that are heated by an electrode to release an odor. A temperature-dependent resistor, or thermistor, detects the temperature and adjusts the strength of the fragrance. And a magnetic induction coil controls a metal plate that transmits heat away from the electrode to fast cool it down and switch off the fragrance. Arrays of these millimeter-sized odour producers are embedded in thin, flexible sheets of circuitry. [2]

The wireless smelling interface was invented by Xinge Yu, Yuhang Li, and collaborators in two wearable versions.

The First Format: It uses millimeter-scale odour generators and is directly connected to the skin under the nose, with two odour possibilities.

The Second Format: It is a soft mask that can generate nine distinct odours.

The authors illustrate its adaptability by using a variety of 30 unique odours, including pineapple, ginger, green tea, caramel, and candy. The small odour generators contain scented paraffin wax that may be melted to produce various odours in a limited region fast (in as little as 1.44 seconds). [1]

Bottles of liquid perfume, an atomizer (a device that converts liquids into a fine mist), and some technique of blowing the atomized droplets out were commonly utilised in previous scent interfaces. This works, however it is rigid, has a limited operating duration between refills, and does not allow for easy intensity modulation. Because of these disadvantages, the gadgets are less suitable for VR systems. [2]

The creators propose a few applications for the examination, for example, for conveying fragrance messages as an elective specialized strategy, setting off close to home recollections, and improving client cooperation in VR universes. [1]

References:

1. https://www.natureasia.com/en/research/highlight/14488
2. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/virtual-reality-system-lets-you-stop-and-smell-the-roses/
3. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-37678-4

Cite this article:

Hana M (2023), Virtual Reality Lets You Smell Flowers, AnaTechmaz, pp.193