NTT Communications Corporation of Japan is starting a trial service that allows mobile phone users to “call up fragrance” to “relax or jump-start the day.” Twenty users are going to participate in the trial (which will occur between April 10th through the 20th). They have been asked to keep aroma pots with infrared sensors that can read mobile signals in their individual rooms.

In each pot, there are 16 different “aromatic essences” such as chamomile and peppermint. Participants will then select music and video clips on their cell phones through the carrier NTT DoCoMo Inc’s i-mode Internet service. The download will trigger a signal from the phone to the aroma pot, “which blends the essences and emits an appropriate scent.”

Two hundred different fragrance combinations can be created by mixing and matching the 16 different essences. According to NTT Communications, the scents can help improve concentration, sleep better, and much more. If successful, the service (aka Mobile Fragrance Communication) may become widespread in Japan.

Spokeswoman Yasuko Oka said, “If demand is strong, we would like to make this service available by March next year.”

Last but not least, NTT Communication is also planning to run trials for a service that allows users to send files with scent attachments. Oh boy!

Source: Reuters