Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 25th July 2024 Issue no. 1124
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AI-Powered air care: Putting the 'AI' in air freshener solutions
Writes Matt Wonnacott, founder of Ennovamark - a new agency created to help aircare, hygiene and washroom technology brands and businesses develop effective innovations and marketing strategies. Matt’s two decades of experience in the industry, enables him to support clients with outstanding and truly innovative ideas - both for branding and products.
“We've all seen the news, headlines from that way too dramatic presenter on the BBC, NBC, Sky News etc. about how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising various industries, making our lives more convenient and efficient (apparently).
At what expense, though, and can literally anything be made with AI? If you look at AI with Chat GPT particularly, getting a big mention in the press of late - AI in this field already existed in a form, long before even Google arrived. Who remembers the days of the dial up and the certain 'Ask Jeeves'? People spent all day looking up things previously not known as this service would provide pressing answers to our burning questions.
Now, in 2023, such is the interest in AI and 'alarm' that it could do more harm than good in the wrong hands, even the EU recently set out a charter, of sorts, to help mitigate any potential harm AI could pose in the future.
But what about AI used in the 'right' hands? We look deeper into how AI could make its way into the world of air care and air fresheners. Long gone are the days of just the 'traditional' air freshener that caused a stink and a right mess in its trail; is AI stepping in to create a more personalised, eco-friendly (this is another bone of contention - don't get us started on this!), and smart solutions that cater to our specific needs and preferences? Or has 'the AIr freshener of tomorrow' revolution already arrived?
Commercial air freshener systems with 'Smart' programming…
In the washroom especially, businesses need products that are effective, both in cost and performance. Washrooms are often exposed to 'cost sensitivities' more than other areas of a building. So it pays for air care manufacturers especially, to provide products and solutions that deliver on these two aspects, with or without AI.
It could be argued that the air care industry has been using AI for many years, already. If you look at the common metered air care systems available today and even 10 years ago, perhaps a form of AI has already been well established. Users of these scented products can set when the systems operate or spray - to meet theirs or their customers preferences and also 'switch off' - when the building is unoccupied, thus saving on battery and fragrance consumption, which in turn saves money. Just set and go and trust the pre-programming to do its job.
There's also air fresheners in both the commercial and retail sectors that offer motion sensing, too. Only spraying when the dispenser senses movement in a particular space.
Personalised scenting experience…
Gone are the days when consumers had to settle for that spritz of overpowering citrus that didn't necessarily appeal to their individual tastes. With AI, air fresheners can now offer a personalised scenting experience. Advanced AI algorithms can analyse data from user preferences, to recommend and create bespoke or customised fragrances.
Imagine having an air freshener that adjusts its scent intensity based on your mood or the time of day, offering a refreshing aroma to uplift your spirits on those dreaded Monday mornings and a soothing lavender scent to relax you in the evening after you've already had enough of the work week. With AI, air fresheners can cater to our preferences, making our living spaces more comfortable and enjoyable.
Environmentally ‘conscious’ solutions…
The impact of traditional air fresheners on the environment has long been a concern due to harmful chemicals, levels of VOCs and excessive waste that they previously produced. AI is playing and can play a significant future role in developing what some would consider 'eco-friendly' air fresheners that prioritise sustainability. Machine learning systems, or models, can assess and optimise the ingredients used in air fresheners, ensuring they are more environmentally friendly.
Furthermore, AI can assist in designing air freshener dispensers with smart sensors that detect air quality and release scents only when necessary. By reducing unnecessary emissions, AI-powered air fresheners can help manufacturers create a more cleaner and greener future, than the traditional ways of scenting have provided in the past.
Smart, integrated air fresheners for the home…
The rise of smart homes has transformed the way we interact with our living spaces. Got the Ring doorbell? The security system that shows you your house from a million angles? AI-powered air fresheners are no exception either, as they can and will likely integrate with smart home ecosystems, seamlessly. These intelligent air fresheners can be controlled remotely via smartphones or voice-activated virtual assistants, adding convenience and ease to our lives.
For instance, AI can enable air fresheners to sync with our daily routines, knowing when we arrive home or when we're about to wake up, and automatically adjust scent levels to suit our needs.
Data-driven air quality improvement - an all in one air care system…
AI's prowess and speed in data analysis empowers air fresheners to be more than just a device that pumps out great fragrances. These smart devices can now gather data on indoor air quality, such as pollutants, humidity levels and temperature. By analysing this data, AI-powered air fresheners can provide valuable insights into air quality trends and possible sources of contamination.
Moreover, AI algorithms can develop strategies to combat specific air quality issues, suggesting appropriate scents or partnering with other smart home devices like air purifiers to tackle pollutants more effectively.
As we embrace the possibilities of artificial intelligence, the air care industry has already undergone a transformative change. Like most things in life, you need to take a peek at the past, to know where the future lies. We tip our hats to the manufacturers who have already created AI, in essence, with the remote and tailored programming already offered.
With advancements in AI technology, we can look forward to a future where our spaces are improved with scents tailored to our preferences, contributing to a healthier and happier lifestyle. As these innovations continue to evolve, the next generation of air fresheners will build on the great work that has already been created before them to advance the scenting experience further.”
10th August 2023