We’re always hearing about how virtual reality will give us a new level of visual and auditory immersion, but what about olfactory immersion? By that I mean, there aren’t very many devices that simulate smells in the same way that devices like the Oculus Rift simulate sights and sounds. A company by the name of Feelreal wants to change this.
Virtual reality is great, but it’s… sometimes difficult to stomach, as evidenced by the fact that a device not making people throw up was major news at GDC. But some optimistic folks at a company called Feelreal think that not only has VR arrived, it’s advanced enough that users are ready for weather and scents, courtesy of a programmable battery-powered Bluetooth mask that fits underneath your headset. The Feelreal mask incorporates tiny heaters, air coolers, misters, a vibration engine, a microphone, and a “removable cartridge with seven unique smells,” according to its website.