OLFACTORY INTERACTION ( draft )

1 Introduction In a modern western culture dominated by visual and auditory perception, olfaction is commonly regarded as a minor sensory modality. Yet, scents are extremely evocative; they can also shift attention, add novelty, enhance mental state and add presence. And, as an ambient or peripheral medium [1], olfaction does not require manipulation or eye contact. This chapter explores the sense of smell as an alternative interaction channel with, or mediated by, computers. Supporting this thrust are recent scientific breakthroughs in olfactory reception, technological advances in sensor-based machine olfaction, and emerging commercial ventures in olfactory displays. These three areas will now be reviewed.