Researchers unveil 'Scentronic' system that transmits smells over the internet
A team led by Ohio State doctoral student Chunyu Yang has created a prototype that detects specific odors and recreates them remotely via wearable devices.
Scientists at Ohio State University have built a compact platform that merges odor detection and generation for remote scent sharing, calling it "Scentronic." Lead author Chunyu Yang explains that an electronic nose equipped with an array of gas sensors captures chemical signatures of five familiar smells—beer, cake, coffee, oranges and red wine—and a machine-learning algorithm classifies the input. The identified scent is then transmitted via an internet-based service to a wearable scent generator, which emits the corresponding fragrance through a small cartridge.
The prototype includes several form factors such as a wristband, necklace and handheld device, and can operate over distances ranging from a room to across the globe. Potential applications include more immersive virtual and augmented reality, sharing the aroma of meals with distant loved ones, and allowing online shoppers to sample products remotely. The researchers stress that the system is still experimental; expanding the scent library, improving recognition in mixed-odor environments, and addressing issues like refillability, safety and cost are needed before commercialization. Their findings appear in the journal Science Advances.
Why it matters
It shows a viable path to adding smell to digital communication, expanding how we experience remote media and e-commerce.
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