The Future of Smell-O-Vision Is Here
The future is here, and it stinks — literally. Over the past several months, new gadgets have hit the market promising to augment the film, television, and even video game experience with scent. Enter: the future of "smell-o-vision."
Take the GameScent, for example, which made its debut in March at the 2024 Game Developers Conference. According to Wired, the machine uses an adaptor and phone app to capture a video game's audio. The audio is then processed by an AI algorithm that triggers the emission of certain smells, depending on what's happening in the game.
The device, essentially a hexagonal box, holds six different fragrances at a time. Currently, GameScent offers Gunfire, Explosion, Forest, Storm, Racing Cars and Clean Air, but the company's founders hope to release an additional 30 to 40 scents in 2025. (Apparently, they've received some very NSFW smell requests.)
There's also the iRomaScents, an Alexa-like gadget that can release scent on demand or in sync with a video. The device can store up to 45 different at once, a feat that the company believes will make it the next big thing in beauty retail.
iRomaScents may also eventually transform the future of home entertainment. "Movie and game directors can add scent to their creations with the ScentTrack editor," the brand's website reads. While it's not entirely clear how the device works in tandem with on-screen entertainment, we can only imagine the boon it would be for fragrance and food brands — imagine seeing an advertisement for a new perfume or fast food offering and being able to smell them at the same time.
While it seems newfangled, the concept of smell-o-vision has existed for decades. Back in 1939, Hans Laube unveiled a system called — you guessed it — Smellovision, which connected to movie theater seats. It wasn't exactly a hit. Over the years, others would toy with the idea of smell-o-vision, but it never caught on.
But in the year 2024, we're more obsessed with scent than ever, setting the stage for the flourishing of fragranced entertainment. Perhaps smell-o-vision is finally due to get its flowers.
