Kaolid

Human-Computer Interaction / Human-Food Interaction / Olfactory Interface

Abstract

Human taste perception is inherently multisensory, created by integrating olfactory and visual cues. This provides an opportunity to augment flavor experiences through multimodal digital interfaces. We present Kaolid+, a lid-based interface that enhances beverage flavor by simultaneously manipulating aroma and color. While the influence of retronasal smell on taste is known, prior work has not sufficiently explored the difference between orthonasal smell and retronasal smell, nor their synergistic effect with dynamic visual cues. Kaolid+ addresses this gap by integrating a retronasal smell diffuser with an RGB light to change the drink's perceived color. In a user study with unflavored carbonated water, we found that retronasal smell significantly increased perceived sweetness and satisfaction over orthonasal smell. Crucially, combining retronasal smell with congruent visual cues further amplified this taste augmentation effect. Our findings demonstrate that a strategic combination of vision and olfaction can effectively augment taste perception, presenting a practical approach for enhancing beverage experiences. This work contributes a new framework for sensory-driven health and wellness applications in IoT, showing how technology can subtly shape perception to encourage healthier choices.

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