You could start to smell the roses from afar thanks to artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence is capable of "teleporting" scents without the need for human hands or noses.
The technology of "odor teleportation" has made significant progress thanks to Osmo, a company specializing in "digital olfaction." This innovative advancement allows an aroma to be analyzed in one location and reproduced in another without human intervention. The process relies on sensors that collect and analyze an aroma using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and then the data is transmitted to a specialized molecular printer that can synthesize and combine the necessary chemicals to faithfully replicate the smell.
Previously, Osmo's odor teleportation required human assistance at every stage. However, the company has managed to use artificial intelligence to map the processed aroma in its Principal Odor Map (POM), which is a database linking specific combinations of molecules with particular scents. With this methodology, AI models can communicate the molecular profile of the aroma to a robotic system that mixes and creates a replica.
During a demonstration, Osmo's CEO, Alex Wiltschko, shared that the company has successfully digitized an aroma entirely, starting with the scent of a fresh summer plum, all without human intervention. According to Wiltschko, this experience has been surprising and exciting, to the point that he admits to bringing the scent of the plum with him to various places, which he finds pleasurable.
Artificial intelligence has enabled Osmo to process large volumes of data on odors, increasing accuracy and streamlining the process, even with very subtle aroma components. Apparently, Osmo has the largest AI-compatible odor database, which aids in training the artificial intelligence to understand and reproduce different fragrances. In addition to odor teleportation, Osmo has also utilized AI to design new fragrances that are offered to the perfume industry.
The application of odor teleportation, although it may seem unusual, has the potential to benefit various industries. For example, it could allow for a more immersive virtual reality experience, where one can not only see the virtual environment but also smell it. This advancement could also have health implications, such as in therapies for conditions related to the loss of the sense of smell.
While replicating perfumes could be a complicated issue for companies with patented fragrances, it may be possible to share olfactory experiences in other situations, such as sending the scent of flowers to loved ones. However, some users have proposed more humorous uses for the technology, opening the door to a range of unexpected possibilities.
