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

TL;DR

AuraDesk is an innovative olfactory data physicalization system that uses scent cues to subtly communicate physiological stress signals in office environments, aiming to enhance awareness without sensory overload.

Contribution

This work introduces a novel olfactory interface for workplace stress feedback, combining biosignal interpretation with constrained scent actuation and providing empirical insights.

Findings

Participants perceived scents as subtle atmospheric cues rather than alerts.

Scent feedback supported momentary awareness and micro-breaks.

Concerns about scent preference, habituation, and appropriateness were raised.

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.