Modern virtual reality systems haveone significant drawback is the lack of an effective system for simulating contact with virtual objects. Engineers from the United States proposed an original scheme that uses a complex of tensioned cables attached with special nozzles to the fingers and supporting feedback from events occurring in the VR environment. When a person touches virtual objects, the system by pulling the cables creates an imitation of physical contact. The presentation of the system is expected at the exhibition Computer Human Interaction (CHI), which will be held in late April in Hawaii.
Currently all simulation systemsContact with virtual objects is based on the use of vibration controllers, which does not correspond much to the real sensations that appear during physical contact with an obstacle.
The torso system was developed by engineersfrom Carnegie Mellon University, who named the created Wireality device, the main task of which is to brake the user's fingers when approaching a virtual object.
Using special shoulder mountshuman, modules with cables are installed, at the ends of which there are plastic overlays for the user's fingers. The modules used an ordinary spring system of folding the cable, according to the principle used in household measuring roulettes. To stop and adjust the degree of tension in the module blocks, gears and a solenoid are used.
Finger motion control in a virtual environmentcarries a helmet with a Leap Motion controller. At the moment of approaching the user's brush to the virtual object, a command is sent to the solenoid, and the cables begin to “slow down” the movement of the user's brush, creating a sense of obstruction.
The demo video shown showsthat the system is capable of creating an imitation of touch, both on flat and curved surfaces, such as railings, palms of characters from VR auto body and others.
According to the developers of the prototype Wirealitythe cost of components was only $ 35, and the weight of the entire complex was about 273 grams. After a demonstration at CHI 2020, engineers plan to master the serial production of the invention.