Olfactory cues alter distance and direction estimates in virtual reality
Smelling the Way: Olfactory Modulation of Spatial Estimation and Path Integration in Virtual Reality
Human-Computer Interaction
Summary
Humans usually rely on sight to understand where they are and how to get around. This paper looks at how smells can also help when visuals are limited, using virtual reality setups. The researchers tested how people locate smells and find their way back to a spot while smells were delivered in different ways. They found that smells can change how people judge direction and distance, sometimes making them more careful but not always more accurate.
What this means in practice
- •For virtual reality developers: Add scent-based feedback to VR environments to influence users’ spatial awareness and navigation strategies.
- •For navigation system designers: Incorporate olfactory cues to support spatial estimation in environments with reduced visual information.
Authors
Siyeon Bak, Junho Kim, Dongyun Han, Sun-Jeong Kim, Isaac Cho
Abstract
Spatial cognition enables individuals to perceive and interpret spatial relationships, estimate locations, and navigate within their surroundings. While vision plays a dominant role, other sensory modalities, particularly olfaction, can support spatial processing when visual cues are limited. This paper explores the effects of scent-delivery within virtual reality (VR) environments by using fan-mediated olfactory devices. We conducted two formal studies to evaluate the effects on spatial information acquisition. Study 1 (N=24) examined the participants' ability to localize a scent source while walking a linear path using two different olfactory devices. Study 2 (N=19) employed a triangle completion task, in which participants attempted to return to their starting point under varying rotation angles and olfactory conditions. Results indicate that scent-delivery feedback influenced spatial behavior in distinct ways across the two studies. In Study 1, visual-olfactory misalignment produced systematic directional biases without improving absolute localization accuracy. In Study 2, distance-modulated scent-delivery feedback reduced terminal homing error but also increased traveled distance and completion time, suggesting a more deliberate goal-confirmation strategy.