Establishment of olfactory augmentation technologies: Development of olfactory modulator that can enhance human olfactory selectivity

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K14947
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 20020:Robotics and intelligent system-related
• Research Institution: The University of Electro-Communications (2021); Osaka University (2019-2020)
• Principal Investigator: Matsukura Haruka 電気通信大学, 大学院情報理工学研究科, 助教 (60808757)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 嗅覚 / 身体拡張 / バーチャルリアリティ / 感性情報学 / 嗅覚ディスプレイ / ヒューマンインタフェース

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Toward establishment of olfactory augmentation technologies as a new modality of human augmentation, we have developed several types of olfactory modulators in this research project. By collecting odor molecules wafting in the air onto the adsorbent, we can increase the concentration of the odor vapor. By presenting this concentrated odor vapor, we can make the user feel as if their olfactory sensitivity is enhanced. The mixing ratio of odor molecules can be modulated by using adsorbents having affinities to different classes of odor molecules. Olfactory perception can be also modulated by presenting thermal and/or wind stimuli to the user even if the same odor is presented. We have fabricated the prototype systems of these olfactory modulators and have experimentally shown their feasibility.

Free Research Field

情報学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

バーチャルリアリティシステムやロボットの開発で培われた技術を応用し，人間の運動能力や認識能力の限界を超えた身体拡張を実現しようという研究は多数ある。しかし，嗅覚の拡張を目指した研究は，他にない。本研究では，嗅覚感度増強装置や匂い知覚変調装置の研究開発を行い，その実現可能性を実験的に示した。この技術を発展させれば，加齢や疾病によって衰えた嗅覚を補助する，不快な匂いを除去してスメルハラスメントを予防するなどの応用が可能になると期待される。