Online shoppers will be able to feel the touch of cloth or any other product through their screens of their smartphone before purchasing it online, according to IBM.

In its "Five in Five" list, the technology giant mentions five potential innovations that have the potential to revolutionize the way people live, work and interact in the next five years.

In the 2012 list, IBM concentrates on the computers' ability to mimic the human senses to let users to see, smell, touch, and taste through screens of gadgets like smartphones.

As per the technology giant's claims, its researchers are working on apps for sectors like retail and healthcare using infrared, haptic and pressure sensitive technologies to simulate touch, such as the texture of a cloth.

IBM's another innovation revolves around sound. A system of clever sensors will enable people to detect elements of sound such as sound pressure, sound waves and vibrations at different frequencies. This innovation will help in predicting when a landslide may occur or when a tree will fall.

IBM said in a statement, "Such a system will 'listen' to our surroundings and measure movements, or the stress in a material, to warn us if danger lies ahead."

Yet another innovation will help learning about someone's emotion and sense one's mood. The company also claimed that its researchers are also working on an app that will help users to experience flavours of recipes.

IBM also stated that it wanted to see a better world, where humans and machines work together.