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In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, is joined by Adam Good, Founder and CEO of Auric, to explore programmable scent, AI-powered product development and the realities of building a hardware start-up. Auric’s scent intelligence platform combines specialised hardware, connected software and therapeutic oils to create personalised environments that support energy, calm, focus and sleep. Adam also shares how his experience across Microsoft, News Limited, DDB, Telstra and WPP shaped his transition from digital executive to technology founder.
Inspired by wellness experiences across Asia, Adam recognised scent as a powerful sensory layer connected to memory, emotion and mood. This insight led Auric to develop its Aroma Chromosphere and introduce the concept of “Mood as a Service”. The system is designed to schedule personalised aromas throughout the day, with future applications for biometric wearables, gaming, cinema, cooking content and other immersive experiences.
Adam explains the considerable engineering effort behind programmable scent technology. Auric must account for differences in oil viscosity while integrating electronics, firmware, mechanical components, RFID-enabled smart caps, usage tracking and precision tooling. These requirements have made hardware development slower and more capital-intensive, while also helping Auric build patents, specialised intellectual property and a valuable competitive moat.
The conversation also examines how AI agents and AI coding tools are changing the economics of technology start-ups. Auric uses automation to analyse device activity, personalise scent routines, manage customer communications and recommend oil replenishments. Tools such as Claude and Codex have accelerated software prototyping, interface development and testing, supporting Adam’s ambition to scale Auric into a $100 million business with a remarkably small core team.
Adam closes with practical advice for hardware founders, including defining a focused minimum viable product, validating the proof of concept and preparing for ongoing technical and financial challenges. He and Anthony emphasise the importance of clear specifications, strong product architecture, thorough documentation and experienced advisers when integrating software, firmware and physical hardware. Looking ahead, Adam expects AI hardware, ambient computing and IoT technology to drive the next generation of innovative, connected products.
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