The Vocktail is a 3D printed device which transforms our perception of flavor. Manipulating taste via light, scent and electrical pulses, it has the potential to turn your water into wine.

No-one likes the feeling of waking up the next morning with a banging headache and hazy memories. But for all the next-morning pledges of “i’m never drinking again”, that resolve usually swirls away with the clink of ice hitting glass.

But what if there was a way to take all the flavor of a mixologists craft, with none of the regret-inducing alcohol. The Vocktail could be the answer.

Developed by researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Vocktail is an app-controlled device that fools a drinker’s senses into thinking plain water is actually a flavorsome cocktail.

Using an array of micro-capsules and pumps to distribute scents, plus electrode strips to stimulate the tastebuds, the device resides within a 3D printed enclosure. This tongue-twisting apparatus simply attaches to a cocktail glass.

Smell molecules dispersed according to recipes in the app alter the perception of the drink and its flavor. The tester of the device in the video below detects a citrus-y flavor, likening it to lemonade.

“We are interested in virtual reality in general – how can we introduce virtual beverages, and how to augment the existing flavors of beverages,” said lead researcher Nimesha Ranasinghe, from the National University of Singapore’s Keio-NUS Cute (Connective Ubiquitous Technology for Embodiment) Centre.

Leave the Booze: Pick up a 3D Printed Glass of Water

In addition to using smell to play with your senses, the Vocktail device also flashes a color of your choosing — preferably similar to the drink you’re trying to simulate.

The researchers also believe these bursts of color could enhance the perception of flavor. For example, red might be associated with bitterness and blue with saltiness.

Still not convinced that color and smell can really alter your taste buds? The researchers rely on a third element to trick the tongue – two electrode strips on the rim of the glass. These electrodes send electrical pulses of varying intensity to your tongue, awakening the taste buds and mimicking different tastes.

For example, 180 microamps is said to convey a sour taste. While 40 microamps apparently results in a salty taste. By using just a mobile app connected to the Vocktail via Bluetooth, you can choose your water’s virtual flavor.

The researchers envisage the Vocktail finding more meaningful use than consequence-free cocktail consumption. Possible use cases include catering to those with dietary restrictions by making low calorie substances flavorful.

For now, time will tell — the researchers are now speaking to companies to determine how to mass produce their product.

Source: Straits Times