Integrating Cutting-Edge Technologies in Food Sensory and Consumer Science: Applications and Future Directions

With the introduction of emerging digital technologies, sensory and consumer science has evolved beyond traditional laboratory-based and self-response-centered sensory evaluations toward more objective assessments that reflect real-world consumption contexts. This review examines recent trends and potential applications in sensory evaluation research focusing on key enabling technologies—artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), extended reality (XR), biometrics, and digital sensors. Furthermore, it explores strategies for establishing personalized, multimodal, and intelligent–adaptive sensory evaluation systems through the integration of these technologies, as well as the applicability of sensory evaluation software. Recent studies report that AI/ML models used for sensory or preference prediction commonly achieve RMSE values of approximately 0.04–24.698, with prediction accuracy ranging from 79 to 100% (R2 = 0.643–0.999). In XR environment, presence measured by the IPQ (7-point scale) is generally considered adequate when scores exceed 3. Finally, the review discusses ethical considerations arising throughout data collection, interpretation, and utilization processes and proposes future directions for the advancement of sensory and consumer science research. This systematic literature review aims to identify emerging technologies rather than provide a quantitative meta-analysis and therefore does not cover domain-specific analytical areas such as chemometrics beyond ML approaches or detailed flavor and aroma chemistry.