The aim of this research is to gain a clear understanding of dispersed particle movement within ultrasonic fields.
The long term goal of this research is the development of a discreet olfactory interface capable of increasing perceptions of immersion with virtual, augmented and multi-sensory environments.
Technologies developed with the aim of providing users with increasingly immersive multisensory experiences continue to focus primarily on audio and visual stimuli.
Within the field of HCI, research into the remaining senses; smell, taste and touch is wide ranging, and through the development of increasingly complex and sophisticated systems, may in future be as widely available as a source of sensory stimuli within virtual and augmented multi-sensory environments. Whilst solutions designed to introduce scent stimuli to VR gaming exist in the form of fan-based systems, these may not be an ideal solution for users seeking more discreet, personal solutions to olfactory interaction.
An alternative solution would see ultrasonic arrays designed to work in combination with existing virtual reality hardware – mounted to commercially available VR headsets.
This research was originally presented at the ‘Smell, Taste and Temperature Workshop’ at CHI 2021.
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