Would You Buy a Device That Tells You When You Smell?

Japan: A photocopier manufacturer has unveiled a new pocket-sized device that alerts users to unpleasant body odors through a special app. The device is named KunKun, derived from the Japanese word for 'sniff,' and can also detect other undesirable smells like cooking oil that spreads in a room.

The KunKun is the brainchild of Hiroshi Nakayama, a 43-year-old engineer, who conceived the idea after becoming concerned about his own body odor. "People aren't always aware of the smells emanating from their bodies, and it's not always easy to bring it up with them," he explains. His partner, Daisuke Koda, 42, adds that the KunKun is small enough to fit in a coat or shirt pocket and can help alleviate the anxiety of not knowing how one smells.

The device effectively collects chemicals divided into three main types of body odors using built-in sensors. "The sensors look for materials like ammonia and isovaleric acid or other chemicals that may cause similar odors, then report the findings through a dedicated app," the duo explains.

The company is now working to expand the product's capabilities to detect smells such as cigarettes, pets, and other 'unpleasant' odors, even alerting users that it's 'time to freshen up' and similar advisories. According to the developers, the device is set for sale in Japan by this summer, with an expected cost of several hundred dollars.