Researchers have developed "wearable olfactory devices" to introduce odors into the VR / meta universe.

CTOnews.com, May 16, Nature Communications (Natural Communications) published an interesting paper on May 9. The main author is Dr. Yu Xinger of the City University of Hong Kong. The paper describes two wearable "olfactory interfaces". The first is the size of a band-aid that sticks under the user's nose like a fake beard, and the second is a more powerful mask.

Both rely on heating paraffin patches soaked in a variety of liquid flavors. The smaller version of the system uses two such patches, and the larger one has nine. The researchers claim that they can produce smells such as mint or green tea in as little as 1.44 seconds. Nine mask-shaped patches can be combined to produce hundreds of possible smells.

The highlight of these "olfactory interfaces" is that they are lightweight, compact and wirelessly connected. Although the device is not tested directly with VR games, platforms or specific devices, it can be used without complex connections, which means a more immersive experience.

The 1960 film "Scent Of Mystery" attempted to realize the concept of "flavored movies". Installed under the seats in the cinema, the system emits 30 different smells-from salty sea breezes to wine-at critical moments of the plot, but the actual experience of the audience is that these smells come too late or too faint. the latest research is another attempt at this concept.

Notably, ion3, the latest product from Vermont startup OVR, will be released later this year. The headphones use a refillable cartridge system, and each cartridge can produce thousands of odors.

CTOnews.com is attached to the original address of Dr. Hinger's thesis, which can be read by interested readers.