A Japanese scientist at Meiji University has developed a prototype TV screen that can be licked to experience the flavor of what’s being displayed.
Appropriately dubbed the “Taste the TV” (TTTV), Homei Miyashita’s novel invention induces flavors by leveraging a carousel of 10 canisters that are sprayed to create the taste of a particular food. These are then rolled onto a “hygienic” film over the TV for the viewer to try.
“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,” Miyashita said.
The professor added that the device only took a year to make and that a commercial version would cost about $875 to produce, although it’s unclear whether any company might be interested in selling something so niche and weird. Other projects that Miyashita have been involved in include a fork that can make food taste better.