Modern virtual reality (VR) is a
treat for the senses. Well, two of them at least. Up to now, sight and sound
have been the staple of VR environments. Haptic feedback is starting to allow
for basic touch, but the next radical evolution in VR could actually come via
your nose (and/or mouth). VR headsets
are becoming household items, whether they're run by phones or gaming systems.
And as this medium becomes increasingly common, demands for more immersive
experiences are sure to follow. The Vocktail was developed by researchers at
the National University of Singapore. The Vocktail fools the senses, through
the use of light, smell and virtualized taste, to make whatever is in the glass
(even tap water) taste like anything.
Gastronomical
fantasies are even finding their way into adult entertainment. Internet
streaming site Camsoda developed a VR scent machine it's calling the OhRoma.
This $200 device augments the VR camgirl experience with 30 different scents. When
VR experiences are enhanced with scents and tastes, their therapeutic effects
can be multiplied. For example, the smell of gunpowder might be used in
treating certain cases of PTSD, or lavender, to create a calming effect. In the
future, Li ventures, we could use VR to trick our brains into eating healthier,
both for ourselves and the planet. To make the experience more lifelike, researchers
are also working on a sensor that actively detects the scents in the model's
room and adjusts the OhRoma's output to match.
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