GoKawiilOhio State researchers build system to digitally capture and transmit smells
Ohio State University researchers have developed a two-part system—an AI-powered 'e-nose' and a wearable receiver called a Scentronic—that can detect an odor and recreate it remotely. The Scentronic, available as a wristband, handheld device or necklace, uses a piezoelectric atomizer and Wi-Fi/cloud connection to reproduce scents; in tests, 16 participants correctly identified all five smells used (cake, beer, red wine, coffee and oranges).
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The study, led by doctoral candidate Chunyu Yang, suggests early-stage but functional scent-transmission technology, moving beyond novelty toward potential real-world uses. Researchers point to applications like letting online shoppers smell products before buying or using smell-sensing for health diagnostics, since conditions like COVID-19 and migraines can alter a person's sense of smell. These are proposed uses rather than confirmed products, so practical adoption and accuracy at scale remain open questions.
- OSU's system pairs an AI e-nose sensor with a wearable Scentronic receiver to transmit smells digitally.
- In testing, all 16 participants correctly identified five distinct scents reproduced by the device.
- Researchers suggest potential uses in e-commerce and health diagnostics tied to smell-related symptoms.
Source: cnet.com — Joe Hindy, 2026-10-21
Published there as: “Ohio State Makes a Stink by Digitally Sending Scents”
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