OlfacKit: A Toolkit for Integrating Atomization-Based Olfactory Interfaces into Daily Scenarios

To increase the ubiquity and merging of Olfactory Interfaces (OIs) into daily scenarios seamlessly and aesthetically, we propose OlfacKit, a fully integrated pipeline, which consists of (1) an interactive design tool that enables novice users to quickly model the physical forms of OIs and automatically generate fabrication-ready designs; (2) a construction workflow with a series of assembly kits and a video tutorial; (3) a WebUI for rapidly testing and prototyping smell control through Wi-Fi communication. We tested the atomization performance with different voltages and aroma liquids and further guided the implementation of the WebUI. Six applications have been explored, showing the flexibility and scalability of our toolkit. We conducted a workshop to evaluate the feasibility and usability of OlfacKit, involving 15 participants who proposed 108 creative ideas and implemented 13 working prototypes. We reported the detailed findings and discussed the insights and implications for future design.

Automated summary

To increase the integration and versatility of Olfactory Interfaces (OIs) in everyday scenarios, we present OlfacKit, a comprehensive pipeline that includes a user-friendly design tool for modeling OIs, an assembly workflow with kits and tutorials, and a WebUI for prototyping smell control. By testing atomization performance and conducting a workshop with 15 participants, we demonstrate the feasibility and usability of OlfacKit, generating creative ideas and implementing working prototypes. The detailed findings and insights offer implications for future OI design.