VirCHEW Reality finally lets people gnaw on VR food

Modern virtual reality headsets provide really great visuals and audio, but many experiences can’t be conveyed through those alone. There have been many attempts to expand on that to create more immersive experiences — we’ve even seen hardware to provide scent and thermal feedback. However, we’ve yet to see anything that can replicate eating food in the virtual environment. VirCHEW Reality is a novel new project that aims to let users gnaw grub in VR.

Truly replicating food consumption in VR would require something like a Star Trek-style replicator and our sources tell us that such technology is at least a year or two away. But VirCHEW Reality is a unique first step in that direction — though it is a very small step. It is a kinesthetic feedback system that straps onto the users face and simulates the physical sensation of chewing on food of varying textures. In theory, munching on a virtual marshmallow would provide a different feeling than a cracker. 

VirCHEW Reality works by adding resistance to jaw movement with pneumatic pistons. The amount of pressure determines the felt resistance, while increasing or releasing that pressure at the right time can enhance the experience. 

An Arduino Mega 2560 board, linked to the PC running the virtual environment, controls that pressure through two air pumps connected through an L298N motor driver. An air pressure sensor makes that a closed-loop system and a solenoid valve lets it quickly vent air. A joystick monitors the movement of the wearer’s jaw, so the system can respond accordingly.

In testing, VirCHEW Reality did provide sensations through which participants could distinguish between the different programmed textures. And adding smell (from real corresponding foods) enhanced the experience. Participants did find VirCHEW Reality interesting, but it seems that novelty could be the primary reason for that — rather than convincing immersion.

Image credit: Q. Liu et al.