LipIO’s applications can also be found in the virtual world, where it can be used to create a realistic sense of taste in virtual reality (VR) environments. The researchers envision a similar haptic interface that uses electrical stimulation on the tongue to allow users to taste basic flavours such as sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. In the future, people may even be able to taste virtual ice cream in the metaverse.
Although LipIO is still a relatively large device with numerous wires, the next step is to reduce its size to make it more practical for everyday use. The researchers also hope to make the technology more suitable for public spaces by removing the need to frequently lick one’s lips.
