Scientists Develop Augmented Eating Technology

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have apparently developed a machine that can replicate the appearance and smell of a variety of cookies to fool some eaters. They think they're eating an oven-fresh chocolate chip, almond, or lemon cookie when, in reality, they're just shoving a plain, old, boring sugar cookie into their mouths. Science!

The "meta cookie" project attempts to use our multiple cookie senses to create a virtual cookie variety pack. Users choose their preferred cookie, and a camera on the headset overlays an image on a plain sugar cookie and sprays the correct associated scent, be it maple or cheese. The closer the cookie gets to the user's mouth, the more of the scent the headset cranks out.

Read the full story at Discover Magazine.

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