Inhalio: Digital Scent as a Service

Recently received an update of this.  Previously had examined for retail scent oriented applications as part of our innovation spaces.  Impressive new directions, like use in automobiles.   Note use for things like mood mapping.   Contact Keith for more information. 

Inhalio Overview

Inhalio is a global leader in cloud-based digital scent technology and digital scent as a service. The Inhalio Digital Scent 3.0 Platform is transformative to personal wellness and well-being by diffusing scents that sanitize airborne viruses, eliminate malodors, and create mood-mapped experiences. We focus on the science of scent using a data-centric process of precise scent infusion, molecular dry-air diffusion, and detailed customer insights. Inhalio recently acquired Exhalia, a recognized leader in scent infusion systems.

INHALIÓ: THE WORLD’S 1ST CONNECTED PLATFORM FOR SCENT ™

Inhalio pioneered the concept of a Wellness Ride™ – a breakthrough for mobility companies looking to give their customers healthier, and new emotive in-vehicle experiences. The Inhalio digital scent platform and our wellness scent services are transforming the rideshare, mass transit, and OEM marketplace.

— Keith Kelsen, CEO Inhalio

Inhalio: Cloud Based Digital Scent

Brought back to my attention.   We had worked in the understanding and delivery of scent systems in retail through our future store innovation center.  Met with a company called Inhalio.  Just revisited their work in this area, here are extracts of their site. Impressive updates. 

About Inhalio

Inhalio is a global leader in cloud-based digital scent technology and digital scent as a service. The Inhalio Digital Scent 3.0 Platform is transformative to personal wellness and well-being by diffusing scents that sanitize airborne viruses, eliminate malodors, and create mood-mapped experiences. We focus on the science of scent using a data-centric process of precise scent infusion, molecular dry-air diffusion, and detailed customer insights. Inhalio recently acquired Exhalia, a recognized leader in scent infusion systems. Automotive and Mobility, Rideshare, Connected Home, Hospitality and Retail industries are making significant investments to embed scent diffusion and management systems into their products and services to enhance consumer experiences, promote wellness and well-being, and further brand loyalty.

All elements of the Inhalio Digital Scent 3.0 Platform are built on a data-centric and cloud-based architecture to deliver a highly scalable Digital Scent as as Service solution. As the world’s first connected platform for scent, the Inhalio Digital Scent 3.0 platform is a multi-patented, multi-scent delivery system and architecture that includes three core components Scent Infusion, Scent Diffusion, and Cloud Insights.

Unlike stand-alone or oil-based systems, the Inhalio platform is a cloud connected and controlled solution with precision multi-scent delivery, intelligent scent cartridge control and management, pure and healthier dry-air diffusion, with advanced consumer insights reporting capabilities and cartridge reorder management. The Intelligent Scent 3.0 platform leads in sustainability with our Eco-Friendly initiative and is licensed for embedded product integration in large scale deployments, as well as a ready-to-order aftermarket solutions.  ... " 

More on Generating Smells

This is a topic that we covered in the innovation center, and this blog has covered for about the same time.  Have seen dozens of examples claiming generated digital scent.  We looked and tested how it could be integrated into retail.  By package, shelf, zone and even specific to interaction.  Most recently seeing the ability to integrate the idea into the smart home.  Here in Technology Review, some new developments and a good description of the difficulties involved.  Below, lots more coverage of the idea.

Need a Smart Home Air Freshener?

Brought to my attention.  Note the ability to link to smart home hub.  How much consumer interest will there be?   Novelty vs value?  Another leveraging of Febreze.

P&G's Sci-Fi Air Freshener Makes Your House Smell Smart
by  Stacey Higginbotham

Is this the end of the smart home being “cool?”

The engineers at Procter & Gamble have looked at the connected home with interest, and in nine months have come up with a product to test the waters. It’s a $49 connected Febreze plug that lets consumers release one of two scents into their home by using a smartphone app.

The company is showing off the device at CES, the big technology showcase in Las Vegas this week. While it may come across as the least exciting smart home technology ever, that is a mark in its favor ....  " .

InHalio Just Launched

" ... We have been in development on this for the last four years…therefor heads down and nose to the grind stone and  all that…as you know. .... 5th Screen Digital, Inc. just launched the new website today which reflects our current offerings and business in retail, connected home , auto, and entertainment! 

Welcome to the “Internet of Scent” a new form of content that will drive new experiences. ... Ahh… the sweet smell of success.

www.inhalio.com     @Inhalio 

Best,
Keith Kelsen, CVO

Report of a recent partnership in gaming.

EU's Robotic Nose for Aroma Sensory Data

A long time challenge, a system that can detect and recognize aroma.   We experimented in the area of coffee beans and blend classification, linked to optimizing machine learning.  But the existing systems could not capture the ppm variances involved.

At the time it was suggested that such a system could 'sniff out' changes in blends or even manufacturing results or emerging issues in real time.  At least the system could gather large quantities of data that could be mined for subtle, or not not so subtle changes.   We have done that in the dimension of imagery, now how about scent? Would this system take us closer to that idea?

See also  Inhalio.com

In the CACM: 
The European Union's BIOMACHINELEARNING project has created a neuromorphic network for odor recognition, running on neuromorphic hardware, which can receive real-time input from electrical gas sensors.

The project's researchers say the technology could lead to the development of a cost-effective, portable, and fully functional robotic nose.

When studying how to improve the accuracy and speed of odor detection and identification, the researchers found they could use bio-inspired signal processing to enhance the signals from sensors and resolve variations in gas concentrations resulting from of a phenomenon called "turbulence." Rapid concentration changes associated with turbulence can be resolved with inexpensive, off-the-shelf gas sensors and appropriate signal processing, according to the researchers. .... " 

InHalio: Towards an Internet of Scent

From a long time co-participant in retail.   Our innovation center tested a number of sensory interaction devices in retail environments using smell, touch, vision and sound.  The data gathered during such interactions is also valuable.

Entertain your senses.  A digital Gateway to Fragrances.  An Internet of Scent.

5th Screen Digital enables a bold new world of smell based on its Inhalio platform. Years of development led to this disruptive and scalable solution to add scent to the digital experience. Inhalio brings a personalized scent experience to the connected world…the Internet of Scent.

Inhalio Retail enables a retail experience unlike any other. Consumers are greeted with gorgeous animations, and they touch the screen to select a fragrance. The dry fragrance is dispersed for them to smell. Consumers can determine their individual preferences in a personal experience. Inhalio platform creates a new engagement for digital signage.

While engaging and entertaining the consumer in a remarkable new manner, the Inhalio platform monitors the system, tracks usage and provides invaluable feedback and data to the retailer and brands. ... The Inhalio platform can create a mood scent that just like music or lighting allows the dispersion of scent to help create a mood.

The sense of smell is the most powerful memorable sense that we have. The olfactory cortex is embedded within the brain’s system where emotions are born and emotional memories stored. That’s why scents, feelings and memories become so easily and intimately entangled.

We look forward to how you will connect the Internet of Scent with the Internet of Things!   ... " 

Video.

Background on Digital Scent Technology