Software integration for digital scent in emergency training applications
Lead Participant:
SCENTIENT LTD
Abstract
Virtual training is the future for the emergency services, medical staff and key workers such as firefighters, paramedics, nurses and doctors. It is gaining popularity at a rapid pace but is currently limited by how much sensory information it conveys and does not represent real stress levels making it less effective.
Integrating scents into the virtual training creates more memorable experiences and better prepares staff for working under sensory pressure. Training under sensory pressure creates stronger neural pathways and in real situations smells can help retrieve protocols of action for faster and more confident response.
The smells can be used in two distinct ways: as clues or as distractions in an environment. Scentient's devices can be used for recreating previously unavailable scenarios with silent and invisible cues, such as a smell of gas or other chemicals. Smells can also be used as a form of desensitisation during training, putting more pressure on trainees in a safe environment to allow them to learn to make time-critical decisions under sensory overload.
This is a highly innovative product which has received incredibly positive feedback when demonstrating and trialling the technology prototype. Scentient is one of the first companies developing this technology and have created a unique form factor which offers great comfort and versatility.
The aim of the project is to develop a hardware integration library for Scentient's digital scent device. This would allow quick and seamless integration into new and existing training infrastructure. This has been identified as a key need from conversations with potential customers such as Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue and London Ambulance Hazardous Environments Response Team. Successful completion of this project would allow Scentient to fully commercialise this innovation and secure itself as a leader in the emerging field of digital scent technology.
This project will also focus on the business development side. With the help of Innovate UK resources Scentient will look to explore new market opportunities and develop a robust growth strategy, ready for successful exploitation of the project outputs.
Integrating scents into the virtual training creates more memorable experiences and better prepares staff for working under sensory pressure. Training under sensory pressure creates stronger neural pathways and in real situations smells can help retrieve protocols of action for faster and more confident response.
The smells can be used in two distinct ways: as clues or as distractions in an environment. Scentient's devices can be used for recreating previously unavailable scenarios with silent and invisible cues, such as a smell of gas or other chemicals. Smells can also be used as a form of desensitisation during training, putting more pressure on trainees in a safe environment to allow them to learn to make time-critical decisions under sensory overload.
This is a highly innovative product which has received incredibly positive feedback when demonstrating and trialling the technology prototype. Scentient is one of the first companies developing this technology and have created a unique form factor which offers great comfort and versatility.
The aim of the project is to develop a hardware integration library for Scentient's digital scent device. This would allow quick and seamless integration into new and existing training infrastructure. This has been identified as a key need from conversations with potential customers such as Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue and London Ambulance Hazardous Environments Response Team. Successful completion of this project would allow Scentient to fully commercialise this innovation and secure itself as a leader in the emerging field of digital scent technology.
This project will also focus on the business development side. With the help of Innovate UK resources Scentient will look to explore new market opportunities and develop a robust growth strategy, ready for successful exploitation of the project outputs.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| SCENTIENT LTD | £50,000 | £ 50,000 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Anastasia Georgievskaya (Project Manager) |