A prototype lickable TV screen, named Taste the TV (TTTV), has been developed by a Japanese professor, marking a significant stride in the pursuit of a multi-sensory viewing experience. The innovative device incorporates a carousel housing 10 flavor canisters, which combine to replicate the taste of various foods. These flavor samples are then dispersed onto a hygienic film covering a flat TV screen, allowing viewers to experience the flavors.
In the context of the Covid-19 era, this technology is seen as a means to enhance the way people engage with the external world, according to Meiji University professor Homei Miyashita. He envisions the potential for individuals to virtually savor the dining experience of a restaurant located on the opposite side of the globe while remaining in the comfort of their homes.
Professor Miyashita, along with a team of approximately 30 students, has been actively involved in creating various flavor-related devices, such as a fork designed to enhance the taste of food. The TTTV prototype, developed over the past year by Miyashita himself, is estimated to cost around 100,000 yen ($875) for a commercial version.
The applications of this technology are diverse and extend to areas like distance learning for sommeliers and chefs, as well as incorporating tasting games and quizzes. Discussions with companies are underway to explore the utilization of the spray technology for practical applications, such as a device capable of imparting pizza or chocolate flavors to a slice of toasted bread.
During a demonstration of TTTV, Meiji student Yuki Hou expressed her desire to taste sweet chocolate, prompting an automated voice to repeat the order before flavor jets released a sample onto a plastic sheet. She described the experience as reminiscent of milk chocolate, stating, “It’s sweet like a chocolate sauce.”
