The future of virtual reality seems to be focused on being more immersive and, above all, sensory. Over the past few years we have seen the launch of a series of proposals that seek to integrate into virtual reality other senses apart from sight and sound as what has been developed from the hand of Beihang University.

This university is located in Hong Kong and has just published in Nature Communications a paper in which they speak in detail about this new proposal to bring odors to virtual reality. Although it is an interesting proposal, what has been seen is more than a prototype of what is being developed.

The proposal is made up of a wearable that sticks directly to the area that is located just below the nostrils, adheres to the skin and, therefore, the type of glue or instrument that is used to be glued will have to be seen. In addition, at the moment it has a pretty paratous design.

The second element of this proposal is a mask that, for the time being, has a design that uses soft material. This mask features sensors, just like what is placed under the nose, the combination of both elements allows different smells automatically when needed.

Smell in virtual reality is the next step for full immersion

The sensors integrated into the device allow smells to be synchronized with the virtual reality experience, which means that users can smell the same smells that appear in the simulation. Although the device is currently in prototype phase, creators hope it can be used in a variety of applications, from education to video games.

For example, a user could use the device while exploring a virtual museum, allowing them to smell the fragrances of a flower exhibition or an era kitchen. Similarly, an adventure video game could use the device to make the user feel the smells of a rainforest or a burning city.

However, technology is not without challenges. One of the biggest concerns is the potential for irritation or allergies in some users, especially those with respiratory problems. In addition, the device may require regular cleaning to prevent the accumulation of bacteria and other contaminants.