Olfactory Profile: Enhancing the Satisfaction and Pleasure of Ride-Hailing Experiences

Abstract

As ride-hailing services become a major mode of transportation for people's daily commutes, the quality of air inside the vehicle has always been a significant factor affecting the riding experience. Based on this, we have designed the “Olfactory Profile” system. This system enhances the comfort and enjoyment of ride-hailing passengers by providing a personalized olfactory environment throughout the entire ride and handling typical scents in various scenarios. The main functions include: First, creating a comfortable environment before getting into the car by releasing customized scents; Second, adjusting the emotional atmosphere during the ride through scenario customization. The specific method employed is the User-Centered Design (UCD) research approach. It involves uncovering user needs, transforming these needs into concrete design plans, and conducting experimental simulations with the developed prototypes. The evaluation of the prototypes is done through a combination of subjective interviews and objective physiological metrics analysis. Experimental results have demonstrated the usability and user-friendliness of the Olfactory Profile in enhancing the ride experience. The Olfactory Profile can be applied in future ride-hailing services to continuously improve the passengers' riding experience.

Keywords: User-centered, olfactory system, perceptual experience, emotional experience

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1004468