Abstract
There are currently few ways to reliably and objectively assess olfaction outside of the research laboratory or clinic. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for remote olfactory assessment; in particular, smell training at home is a promising method for olfactory rehabilitation, but further methodological advances might enhance its effectiveness and range of use. Here, we present Exerscent, a portable, low-cost olfactory display designed primarily for uses outside of the laboratory and that can be operated with a personal computer. Exerscent includes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags that are attached to odor stimuli and read with a MFRC522 module RFID reader/antenna that encodes the odor in order to provide adaptive challenges for the user (e.g., an odor identification task). Hardware parts are commercially available or 3D printed. Instructions and code for building the Exerscent are freely available online (https://osf.io/kwftm/). As a proof of concept, we present a case study in which a participant trained daily to identify 54 odors, improving from 81% to 96% accuracy over 16 consecutive days. In addition, results from a laboratory experiment with 11 volunteers indicated a very high level of perceived usability and engagement. Exerscent may be used for olfactory skills development (e.g., perfumery, enology), and rehabilitation purposes (e.g., postviral olfactory loss), but it also allows for other forms of technological interactions such as olfactory-based recreational interactions.
Highlights
We have developed an olfactory assessment tool, Exerscent, which fills a gap between olfactory self-assessment methods and the sophisticated olfactometers used in laboratory research (Ischer et al, 2014; Lundstro€m et al, 2010; Niedenthal et al, 2019)
User evaluations suggest a very positive user experience in a group of participants that varied in terms of task performance levels
Very high ratings on comprehension and enjoyment were obtained even though the odor identification task was rated as moderately difficult
Summary
Asking questions about subjective olfactory abilities requires no physical contact between participants and researchers or clinicians and can be conducted over the internet or via telephone. That study did not use a digital interface, it serves as an example of games as a mode of interaction, and how the range of interactions can be expanded further by means of digital olfactory displays. RFID tags are a key tool for associating data with physical objects and materials, making them well suited for use in olfactory displays that incorporate liquid or solid scent containers.
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