Introduction to Virtual Taste
Virtual- and augmented-reality setups already modify the best way users see and listen to the world around them. Add in haptic feedback for a way of touch and a VR version of Smell-O-Vision, and just one major sense stays: taste. To fill the gap, researchers on the City University of Hong Kong have developed a brand new interface to simulate taste in virtual and other prolonged reality (XR).
The Lollipop-Shaped Interface
The group previously worked on other systems for wearable interfaces, reminiscent of haptic and olfactory feedback. To create a more “immersive VR experience,” they turned to adding taste sensations. The lollipop-shaped lickable device can produce nine different flavors: sugar, salt, citric acid, cherry, passion fruit, green tea, milk, durian, and grapefruit. Each flavor is produced by food-grade chemicals embedded in a pocket of agarose gel. When a voltage is applied to the gel, the chemicals are transported to the surface in a liquid that then mixes with saliva on the tongue like an actual lollipop. Increase the voltage, and get a stronger flavor.
Overcoming Technical Challenges
Initially, the researchers tested several methods for simulating taste, including electrostimulating the tongue. The other methods each got here with limitations, reminiscent of being too bulky or less secure, so the researchers opted for chemical delivery through a process called iontophoresis, which moves chemicals and ions through hydrogels and has a low electrical-power requirement. With a 2-volt maximum, the device is well throughout the human safety limit of 30 V, which is taken into account enough to deliver a considerable shock in some situations.
Expert Insights
Delivering the chemical stimuli of taste and smell is one in all the important challenges for XR systems, says Alessandro Tonacci, a biomedical engineer for Italy’s National Research Council, who chairs the IEEE Consumer Systems for Healthcare and Wellbeing technical committee. XR systems “are able to providing feedback consisting of physical stimulations (sight, touch, hearing), but, as a result of technological constraints, still fail when coping with chemical stimuli,” Tonacci says. The researchers’ approach has been prototyped by others, but they’ve made the technology more usable by improving the taste quality and consistency, and providing a transportable, user-friendly interface.
Possible Applications
The researchers imagine three possible uses for “tasteful” prolonged reality: standardized gustation tests, just like a hearing or vision test; online shopping in virtual grocery stores; and mixed-reality environments where, for instance, a toddler could explore the flavors of various foods. To further enhance the taste experience in these scenarios, the researchers drew on the strong connection between smell and taste by adding an olfactory component. In addition to the taste-generating gels, they added seven channels for odors.
Device Design and Limitations
For higher usability, it’s also essential for the device to be small and portable. The researchers used ultrathin printed circuit boards and a 3D-printed nylon exterior to maintain the load down. Once loaded with all nine gels, the lollipop weighs about 15 grams—in regards to the same as a Tootsie Pop. One of the key limitations of the present interface is that it could possibly be used for less than one hour before the chemical-infused gels effectively run out. The gels repeatedly shrink during use, so after an hour, the flavor-generation rate can be extremely low and the gel must be replaced.
Future Developments
Going forward, the research group plans to further develop the system to handle the short operation time, in addition to the limited variety of flavor channels and constraints on the way it is used. In other words, consider this only a taste of XR interfaces to come back.
Conclusion
The development of a virtual taste interface marks a major step forward within the evolution of prolonged reality technology. By simulating the sense of taste, researchers aim to create a more immersive and interactive experience for users. While there are still limitations to be addressed, the potential applications of this technology are vast and exciting. As the technology continues to advance, we are able to expect to see recent and revolutionary uses for virtual taste in various fields, from healthcare to entertainment.
