Japanese scientists have breathed new life into virtual reality, adding the missing link for full immersion in digital worlds - the sense of smell. A team from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, led by Professor Takamichi Nakamoto, has presented an innovative smell generator that is mounted directly on VR glasses. The device is designed to transport the user into the context of visual content, filling the space around them with aromas in real time.
The compact system is the result of joint work between academia and the Rakuten Institute of Technology. Unlike previous cumbersome attempts in this area, the new wearable device is fully compatible with modern VR helmets and allows the individual user to easily control it. “Our goal was to create a lightweight and efficient system that allows a person to smell the aromas of a virtual environment while exploring it“, says Professor Nakamoto.
The technical implementation is impressive: the device uses eight base cartridges of aromas that are mixed in precise proportions to recreate a wide range of complex odors. The heart of the device is a micro-doser controlled by an electroosmotic pump that disperses a fine aromatic mist in sync with the image before the user's eyes.
To demonstrate the capabilities of the technology, the researchers have developed special content for virtual travel. Users can “visit“ exotic destinations, sensing the specific scents of the places, which makes the experience frighteningly realistic. Volunteers who tested the prototype are categorical – the addition of odors dramatically enhances the feeling of presence and turns the virtual walk into a real sensory adventure.