For example, IBM researchers have demonstrated that vibration on devices that are held in the hand can be used to transmit sensory texture. Technologies related to vision will enable the identification of important information in images, for example during disasters and tragedies to provide a rapid analysis of information and make appropriate decisions. Sound related technologies should allow computers to hear the important information, such as a baby crying or cracks in bridges and buildings and prevent tragedy before anyone is hurt. Based on the odor that our body generates doctors should be able to detect various diseases before it is possible to detect them with classical methods.

Among the most interesting studies are those related to the sense of taste. Earlier studies focused on how people perceive food and different tastes, this should help to promote a healthier diet. When they fully understand what encourages people to eat or repulses them from a certain food,, they will be able to customize meals to satisfy user desires to taste, while simultaneously ensuring that the food contains ingredients that are really needed in the body.

[Ed – We cannot help it. When we read the last paragraph about the sense of taste all we could hear was the line from Douglas Adams’ Book; The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy, where Arthur Dent was arguing with the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation Nutrimatics Drinks Dispenser and the quote “Ah! So I’m a masochist on a diet, am I?!”. We wonder if the same thing would happen if this type of technology were pushed forward…]

What do you think about having computers incorporate some of the senses that we use every day? Tell us in our Forum.