Although these closely resemble audio speakers, their purpose is quite different; they are in fact, olfactory, or more commonly, "smell" dispensers. The genius behind this last bastion of enhanced virtual experiences, David Sweeney, brings "smellovision" to new heights. It is well known that smell is one of the very strongest of the senses, and can evoke very strong memories and even alter the way we think.
The quale diffuser, in this design, learns to associate a unique blend of an aroma to a specific event. These scents are then triggered through out the day. A combination of some of the 16 different distinctive scented oils pass through a piezoelectric pump, and are then broadcast via a fan. This creates a constantly changing "smellscape."
This innovation is making inroads into what is the final frontier of the total virtual equation.
Surround Smell
Olfactory Speakers for Smellovision
Trend Themes
1. Enhanced Virtual Experiences - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Expanding virtual reality technologies to include olfactory sensations for a more immersive experience.
2. Olfactory Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing new applications for olfactory speakers in industries such as entertainment, gaming, and advertising.
3. Sensory Marketing - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Leveraging the power of scent to create unique brand experiences and enhance customer engagement.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating olfactory speakers to enhance movie-watching experiences by adding a new dimension of sensory immersion.
2. Gaming - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrating olfactory technology into gaming consoles to provide players with a more realistic and immersive gameplay experience.
3. Advertising - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilizing olfactory speakers in advertising campaigns to evoke emotions and create memorable brand connections through scent.