VOA慢速英语2017--Scientists Praise Developments in Smell Technology

 

Would you buy a car that released calming smells into the air when you are stuck in heavy traffic?

Would you buy a robot that smells like a human being?

Scientists suggest that new technology means people will soon be using devices like these in their daily lives.

The British Science Festival took place recently in Brighton, England. At the event, researchers from the University of Sussex demonstrated some of the technology that might be coming soon.

Many people have seen the three-dimensional computer-made environments of virtual¹ reality, known as VR. Now these virtual worlds will not just look and sound real. Researchers have created VR environments that even smell like the real thing.

With the new technology, users open a virtual door and step into a new environment, like a rainforest. After they enter this virtual world, special equipment releases forest-like smells into the air to make the experience seem more real.

Suzanne Fisher-Murray saw the technology being demonstrated at the British Science Festival. She told VOA, “It is a really immersive experience that you have because you’re exploring this environment and you have smells … with it.”

Smell technology has been tried in the past. In the United States, Smell-O-Vision was designed to provide smells during the showing of a movie. The Smell-O-Vision system was briefly² popular in the 1960s. Now, University of Sussex researcher Emanuela Maggioni says it is close to becoming popular again.

“The connection with emotions, memories, and … the sense of smell,” Maggioni said. “It is incredible³ what we can do with technology.”

The uses for smell technology are not just limited to films and the performing arts. Researchers also demonstrated a computer program where users could imagine themselves driving a car.

The system included a special smell-spraying device. Dmitrijs Dmitrenko is one of the researchers working on this project.

“In this demonstration,” he said, “we wanted to deliver the smell of lavender every time the driver exceeds the speed limit. We chose lavender because it’s a very calming smell.”

Scientists are experimenting with using smell instead of sounds or image-based alerts⁴ on telecommunications equipment. And businesses are already using smell to influence people’s behavior.

“Not only … in stores ... But on the other side, you can create and stimulate⁵ impulse⁶ buying,” Maggioni said. “So you’re in a library and you smell coffee and actually you are unconsciously having the need to drink a coffee.”

She adds that the sense of smell is important in human communication and relationships. For example, when men smell tears, it reduces levels of testosterone, a natural hormone⁷ in their bodies. Men then show greater feelings of understanding with other people.

That natural process has uses in new technology, Maggioni says. For example, she believes it could help people trust robots more if the robots smelled like humans.

I’m Pete Musto.

Words in This Story

three-dimensional – adj. having or seeming to have length, width, and depth

virtual – adj. existing or occurring on computers or on the Internet

lavender – n. a plant with narrow leaves and small purple flowers that have a sweet smell

exceed(s) – v. to go beyond the limit of something

alert(s) – n. something, such as a message or loud sound, that tells people something is happening

stimulate – v. to cause or encourage something to happen or develop

impulse buying – v. the act or practice of buying things after feeling a sudden strong desire to do so

unconsciously – adv. doing something in a way where the person does not know they are doing it

tear(s) – n. a drop of liquid that comes from your eyes especially when you cry

1 virtual   

adj.实质上的，事实上的，实际上的

参考例句：

• This reply is a virtual acceptance of our offer.这一回答实质上是接受了我们的建议。
• At that time the East India Company was the virtual ruler of Bengal.那时东印度公司是孟加拉的实际统治者。

2 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

3 incredible   

adj.难以置信的，不可信的，极好的，大量的

参考例句：

• Some planets run at incredible speed.某些星球以难以置信的速度运行着。
• Her answer showed the most incredible stupidity.她的回答显示出不可思议的愚蠢。

4 alerts   

n.警戒( alert的名词复数 )；警报期间；警戒状态；报警信号v.使（某人）保持警觉( alert的第三人称单数 )；使意识到；提醒（某人）注意（某事）；使（部队）处于待命状态

参考例句：

• Folder level alerts are not available on this server. 此服务器上不支持文件夹级的通知。 来自互联网
• Monitor daily customer FTP site for Compatibility Matrix & Quality Alerts. 实时注意客户FTP上的兼容性列表和质量警报。 来自互联网

5 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

6 impulse   

n.（一时的）冲动，冲力，脉冲，神经冲动

参考例句：

• She wrote that letter on impulse.她一时冲动写了这封信。
• I don't know how to resist my impulse.我不知道怎样抑制自己的感情冲动。

7 hormone   

n.荷尔蒙，激素，内分泌

参考例句：

• Hormone implants are used as growth boosters.激素植入物被用作生长辅助剂。
• This hormone interacts closely with other hormones in the body.这种荷尔蒙与体內其他荷尔蒙紧密地相互作用。