The SMELLYPHONE is here: Japanese 'sniff, sniff' app uses $250 add-on sensor to check a user's body odor

The KunKun Body device detects 'perspiration', 'aging' and 'middle fat' odors
It can check for odors behind the ear, near the head, under the armpit or the feet
A breakdown of the user's odor is sent to a smartphone app in about 20 seconds
It's currently only available in Japan and costs 30,000 yen (US $265, or £206)

Published: 21:48 BST, 13 July 2017 | Updated: 22:10 BST, 13 July 2017

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Japanese camera firm Konica Minolta has launched a pocket-sized device that alerts you about unpleasant body smells via an app.

The device, called KunKun Body (KunKun means 'sniff,sniff' in Japanese) detects specific chemicals that cause smells associated with the scent of perspiration or body fat.

The device is currently only available in Japan, with no plans to sell it outside of Japan, and costs 30,000 yen (US$265 or £206).

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The KunKun Body device (left) works by detecting chemicals associated with bad smells and warns users via a smartphone app (right). It can recognize three major types of odors: Perspiration odor, aging odor and middle fat odor

HOW DOES IT WORK?

KunKun, or 'sniff,sniff' in Japanese, is a pocket-sized device that is designed to detect certain chemicals that cause body odor.

It can recognize three major types of odors: Perspiration odor, aging odor and middle fat odor.

It works by placing the odor checking device in one of four locations: Behind the ear, near the head, under the armpit or the fee, and then pressing the large measuring button on the center.

After scanning one of these four body areas, a breakdown of one's odor is sent via Bluetooth to a smartphone app, and displayed on the screen in about 20 seconds.

The app and accompanying device, which was launched on Thursday, is compatible with iOS 8 or higher, Android OS 4.3 or higher, and Bluetooth 4.0 or higher.

It can recognize three major types of odors: Perspiration odor, aging odor and middle fat odor.

It works by placing the odor checking device in one of four locations: Behind the ear, near the head, under the armpit or the feet, and then pressing the large measuring button on the center.

After scanning one of these four body areas, a breakdown of one's odor is sent via Bluetooth to a smartphone app, and displayed on the screen in about 20 seconds.

The device has gas sensors and uses a neural network to distinguish the type and strength of odor detected.

KunKun was developed by Konica Minolta, but is the brainchild of Hiroshi Akiyama, 43, who brought the idea to the firm after he began to worry about his body odor – as it becomes a problem for a lot of men in their 40s.

'It's difficult to recognize your own smell,' said Daisuke Koda, 42 years old, who had a hand in making the hand-held device.

'We can give relief by telling people how smelly they are and freeing them from the anxiety of not knowing.'

According to The Guardian, Konica Minolta believes there's a market for the device in Japan because people are 'particularly sensitive to smell.'

The KunKun body system works by placing the odor checking device in one of four locations: Behind the ear, near the head, under the armpit or the feet. After scanning one of these areas, an odor breakdown is sent to a smartphone app, and displayed on the screen in 20 seconds

The Japanese view that cleanliness is a virtue is taught to at an early age.

The device is currently only available in Japan, with no plans to sell it outside of Japan, and costs 30,000 yen (US$265, £206)

Some firms in Japan have even gone so far as to crack down on 'smell harassment' by ordering employees to brush their teeth at lunch and use deodorant.

Glasses manufacturer Owndays Co has put such an emphasis on odour care, it is included in its dress code and employee appraisals.

After receiving a complaint from a customer about store staff smelling like cigarettes as they adjusted glasses, bosses set about stamping the problem out.

Store staff members are instructed to brush their teeth after lunch or a break, to refrain from using perfume - but not deodorant - and to avoid eating strong-smelling food before or during work.

Konica Minolta believes that their odor detection technology, which was developed in collaboration with the Osaka Institute of Technology, can contribute not only to the measurement of body odor but also other odors which exists in the world.

The Japanese view that cleanliness is a virtue is taught to at an early age. Some firms in Japan have even gone so far as to crack down on 'smell harassment' by ordering employees to brush their teeth at lunch and use deodorant