AuraDesk: Data Physicalization through Olfaction Metaphors for Representing and Mitigating Workplace Stress

2026-04-01

AI Summary

This study addresses the limitations of existing workplace stress-reduction interventions, which predominantly rely on visual or auditory modalities and often induce attentional competition and sensory overload. The authors propose the first olfactory-based data physicalization interface that non-invasively enhances users’ awareness of their stress states by translating continuous physiological signals—collected via wearable devices—into spatially and temporally constrained scent expressions around the workspace, using a local inference algorithm. Evaluated in situ with 25 knowledge workers, the approach demonstrates that ambient scent cues effectively support real-time stress awareness, facilitate micro-breaks, and promote environmental attunement. The findings also highlight critical design considerations, including individual scent preferences, habituation effects, and the challenges of deploying olfactory interfaces in shared workspaces.

Abstract

Workplace stress is often addressed through visual or auditory interventions, yet these modalities can compete with attention and contribute to sensory overload. We explore olfaction as an alternative ambient medium for representing stress-related physiological signals in office settings. We present AuraDesk, an olfactory data physicalization system that translates wearable-derived physiological cues into situated scent expressions at the workstation. The system combines local physiological state inference with a constrained actuation strategy to produce temporally regulated and spatially localized scent output suitable for everyday work environments. To examine the feasibility and experiential qualities of this approach, we conducted a one-day in-situ field deployment with 25 knowledge workers at their actual workstations. Our findings show that participants often interpreted the scent output not as an explicit alert, but as a subtle atmospheric cue that supported momentary awareness, micro-break taking, and perceived environmental attunement. At the same time, participants raised important concerns regarding scent preference, habituation, and contextual appropriateness in shared offices. This work contributes (1) an olfactory interface for physiologically driven ambient feedback in the workplace, (2) a hybrid mapping approach for coupling continuous biosignal interpretation with constrained scent actuation, and (3) empirical insights into how workers perceive, negotiate, and appropriate ambient olfactory feedback in real office contexts. Rather than claiming therapeutic efficacy, we position AuraDesk as a probe into the design space of olfactory data physicalization for workplace wellbeing and attention-sensitive interaction.

Problem

• workplace stress
• olfaction
• data physicalization
• ambient feedback
• physiological signals

Innovation

• olfactory data physicalization
• physiological feedback
• ambient interaction
• scent actuation
• workplace wellbeing