Researchers develop "smells" for computer games

Researchers at Birmingham University in the Human Factors Integration Defence Technology Centre (HFIDTC) developed the system to release certain smells into air using a computer simulation.

The technology has been designed to train soldiers that the presence of certain smells could signal danger.

Research director professor Bob Stone says smell is the most underrated and underused of our senses.

"If we rely only on sights and sounds, we are in danger of closing our minds to what is going on around us," he said.

"For a soldier that can mean the difference between life and death."

Stone's "scent delivery system" uses a compressed air chamber and eight different pots of wax which have been chemically treated with particular odours.

The system can already deliver the smell of cordite, burning electrical wire as well as sea and hospital smells with other odours like mildew and even cat urine soon to be added.

Computer games already play a big part in military training with the devices used to operate the latest technology resembling gaming controls.

"Within three to five years there could be games on the market with smells designed to confuse or excite the player," Stone said.

Source: News.com.au