Achievement unlocked: flavors can now be tasted in Augmented Reality

In a new experience, it is now possible that new flavors can be tasted within Augmented Reality (AR). As if it were a science fiction scene, the New Zealand company and world leader in Mānuka honey, Comvita, has managed to combine technology with the sense of taste.

Technology continues to experience new ways of coupling real life with virtuality. Until now AR viewers focused on seeing and listening to elements of fiction, however, they are now expanding the possibilities with the sense of taste.

During Expo 2020 in Dubai, Comvita presented its AR show, where it transports the user to a dark enchanted forest, lost in the middle of the world to taste honey. The project promises to “set a new standard for marketing and education of food for the consumer”.

This experience plays with the senses of sight and hearing, and then used as a support for the user to identify and understand the complexity of the flavors of Mānuka honey from New Zealand, which is the world leader in the field.

It should be noted that this type of honey is pure from the native forest, it is recognized worldwide for its health benefits and sustainable origins.

The magic that combines technology with the senses begins when each user sits in front of a tray with two honey samples, a tasting spoon and a glass of sparkling water to cleanse the palate.

Each participant uses a HoloLens 2 viewer for the AR experience. When everyone is ready, the lights go out and the presentation starts. The first thing they see is a life-size hive that hangs from a punga tree native to New Zealand that appears from the darkness.

Later, a virtual beekeeper appears in 3D and guides them through a primitive environment, identical to the place where honey is collected. “A swarm of bees buzzes around the room in search of native Mānuka bushes with tiny, delicate pink and white flowers full of nectar.”

Once users are in the virtual forest environment, the tasting begins. According to Microsoft, the profile accents of each honey “float” among all the guests, to help them identify the flavors, among which is apricot, caramel, marshmallow, etc.

The creators of the experience, added a trace of sparkles in the air, which appears every time the tasting spoon is immersed in a jar of honey, as if it were a magic wand. The show was made between Comvita HoloLens was organized by the New Zealand design agency, Blur the Lines.

Founder and Creative Director Danielle Barclay noted that it created “an emotional experience” that connects with the minds and taste buds of the participants.

Previously, between Comvita and Blur the Lines, they built a multi-sensory honey tasting center, called the “Wellness Lab”, in the city of Auckland, New Zealand.

“This space was designed to emulate the purity of the product: all the white textures to allow honey to shine, with an undulating acoustic ceiling. We had to incorporate three projectors, surround speakers, radiant heaters, sprinklers, air conditioning and lighting,” Barclay said.

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