The resale market continues to grow, and with it, the rise of counterfeit products. You may have even bought a pair of sneakers from a second-hand marketplace and later found yourself questioning their authenticity. This is a major nightmare for sneakerheads. The counterfeit manufacturers are getting increasingly better at replicating authentic sneakers, making it more difficult to distinguish the fake from the real deal.
Osmo: The Start-up Using Scent to Verify Sneakers
Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) offers new possibilities for tackling this problem. A start-up called Osmo has developed an innovative solution: their technology can recognise the scent of genuine sneakers.
Osmo, founded by former Google researcher Alex Wiltschko, uses AI sensors to analyse the scent signatures of authentic shoes. These sensors can capture the chemical scent profiles of genuine sneakers and thus identify counterfeit products.
95% Accuracy
Where experts have previously relied on their eyes, and even their noses, to spot fakes, Osmo’s system can detect complex molecular differences that surpass the human sense of smell. In a pilot study, Osmo analysed two popular Nike models, with the system achieving an impressive 95% accuracy in distinguishing real shoes from counterfeits.
Limitations and Future Solutions for the Technology
However, the technology is not without its limitations. For reliable performance, Osmo requires a large number of control samples from the original product. This can be a challenge for rare sneakers, for which only a limited number of pairs are available. Additionally, the sensors are expensive and require regular maintenance and recalibration to remain consistently accurate.
Osmo is also working on a solution to these challenges. The company is exploring the possibility of adding brand-specific scent molecules to original products during the manufacturing process, which would create an extra layer of authentication. This would provide a hard-to-copy identification feature for brands and resellers, better protecting the integrity of luxury products.
The Future of AI Authentication Based on Scent
The potential of Osmo’s technology extends beyond sneakers. The system could potentially be used to certify other products, such as bags and possibly even clothing, although the less pronounced scent of textiles makes this process more complex. The prospect of scent-based AI authentication offers a promising solution for an industry that has been struggling with counterfeiting issues for years.
