🍬 e-Taste: a Device That Transmits Flavours Virtually
Researchers at Ohio State University have introduced e-Taste, a technology that allows remote transmission of taste sensations.
Certain substances activate the five basic tastes: sweet—glucose, sour—hydrogen ions, salty—sodium ions, bitter—magnesium ions, and umami—glutamate (often used in East Asian cuisine).
The new device consists of two parts: a small container with liquids responsible for the substances and sensors that receive remote electric signals about activating the flavors.
When the sensors detect food in the virtual environment, a small electromagnetic pump vibrates, directing a solution with the right proportions of substances into the user's mouth so they can taste the food without eating it. For example, if it is necessary to produce the taste of orange, glucose and citric acid will be used.
Taste is a subjective sensation connected with other senses, primarily with smell, as well as with emotions and memory. Nevertheless, the first tests of the e-Taste were successful: the device could transmit the taste of virtual food at 3,000 km—from California to Ohio.
During the tests, volunteers could distinguish different intensities of sour taste with an accuracy rate of about 70%. They also identified the virtual food available for "tasting": lemonade, cake, fried egg, fish soup, and coffee.
"The results here pave the way for the next generation VR/AR technology that allows users to not only see and hear virtual environments but also taste them," the device creators point out.
In addition, the digitalization of taste might be helpful for people recovering from brain injuries or long covid.
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