Tokyo — Just in time for the festive season, a Japanese professor has created a prototype of a lickable TV screen that sprays different flavours for viewers.
It’s flavourful; it’s lickable – members of the public might soon be able to step close to their televisions and literally sample what’s on their screen.
The device, called Taste the TV or “TTTV”, contains a carousel of 10 flavour canisters that spray in various combinations to create the taste of a certain food.
The sample will then roll on a hygienic film over a flat TV screen for the viewer to lick, introducing yet another approach to creating a multisensory viewing experience.
“The goal is to make it possible for people to have the experience of something like eating at a restaurant on the other side of the world, even while staying at home,” said Professor Homei Miyashita of Meiji University
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He highlighted that such technology could enhance the way people interact with the outside world amid the Covid-19 era.
Miyashita, who works with a team of about 30 students, has dabbed on other flavour-related devices such as a fork that makes food taste richer.
According to Reuters, he built the TTTV prototype himself, with a commercial version costing about ¥100,000 (S$1,186) to create.
The TTTV can be used for sommeliers and cooks engaged in distance learning or tasting games and quizzes, said Miyashita.
He has also been discussing with companies regarding using the same spray technology to add certain flavours on food, such as the pizza taste sprayed on a slice of bread.
Miyashita hopes to start a platform where tastes from around the world can be downloaded and enjoyed at home. /TISG
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