Japan has unveiled a groundbreaking and surprising technology that allows viewers to experience the taste of food displayed on a television screen, directly through their sense of taste, 24News HD TV reported.
According to international media reports, the experimental device is called “Taste the TV” (TTTV) and has been developed by Professor Homei Miyashita of Meiji University in Tokyo, in collaboration with his research team.
At first glance, the device resembles a standard flat-screen television.
However, it is equipped with a specialised taste-transmission system that uses a combination of ten basic flavours, including sweet, sour, salty and other taste elements.
These flavours are blended in precise proportions to replicate the taste of the food shown on the screen.
The system sprays a thin layer of flavour onto the screen, allowing viewers to lick the surface and experience the taste of the dish being displayed. The innovative setup effectively transfers the flavour sensation from the screen to the human tongue.
Professor Miyashita said the purpose of the technology extends beyond entertainment and aims to redefine human sensory experiences.
He explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were confined to their homes, the need to explore new ways of connecting with the outside world through technology became increasingly apparent.
He added that in the future, the system could allow people to experience cuisines from different countries and cultures without leaving their homes. The project was completed with the support of a research team comprising around 30 students.
According to Professor Miyashita, the initial prototype of TTTV was developed last year, while the estimated price of a commercial version could be around 100,000 Japanese yen, approximately $639.
However, the device is not yet available for public use and is still undergoing further development and testing.
Experts believe the potential applications of the technology go far beyond television.
In the future, it could be used in online cooking training, virtual restaurant marketing, and taste-based distance learning, opening up entirely new possibilities in digital interaction.