Taste experience in virtual reality: Flavor exploration in the virtual world with a new device

As efforts to make virtual environments more compatible with the real world progress rapidly, scientists have developed an innovative device that will make tasting possible in virtual reality. 

PNAS In a study published in the journal, it was stated that a lollipop-like device can offer users nine different flavors in a virtual reality environment.  

Researchers state that along with simulating tastes, this experience could be combined with scents to make it more realistic. 

Previously, studies had been conducted on printing scents in digital environments using 3D printers. This new device, however, uses small pouches containing gels to simulate different flavors. When these gels interact with the user's saliva, various chemicals are released to create flavors in the virtual environment.  

The device developed so far can offer a wide range of flavors, from basic tastes like sugar and salt to others such as citric acid, cherry, passion fruit, green tea, durian fruit, milk, and grapefruit. 

According to researchers, the intensity of the tastes varies depending on the voltage used, and flavor mixtures can be created to achieve different tastes.

News Source: 12punto