A graspable olfactory display for virtual reality

The sense of smell, olfaction, is seldom engaged in digital interactive systems, but, supported by the proper technology, olfaction might open up new interaction domains. Human olfactory experience involves active exploration, directed sniffing and nuanced judgements about odour identity, concentrations, blends, yet to date most compact displays do not directly support these experiences. We describe development validation a compact, low-cost display fitted hand controller HTC Vive Virtual Reality (VR) system that employs stepless valves enable control scent magnitude blending (Fig. 1). Our allows for concealed (i.e., unknown user) combinations odours with virtual objects contexts, making it well suited applications involving interactions odorous space recreational, educational, scientific, or therapeutic functions. Through user study gas sensor analysis, we have been able demonstrate our device presents clear consistent output, intuitive from perspective, supports gameplay interactions. present results smell training game wine tasting cellar which initial task identifying aroma components followed evaluating more complex allowing player “level up” as they proceed higher degrees connoisseurship. Novice users were quickly adapt display, found affords other gestures add verisimilitude environments. Test-retest reliability was high when participants performed two times same odours. In sum, suggest may facilitate use settings