The Innovative Phantom Glove: Realistic Touch Sensations in Virtual Reality
Advancements in virtual reality (VR) technology have led to the creation of innovative gloves that allow users to experience tactile sensations with virtual objects and surfaces. One unique offering is the Phantom glove, which doesn’t cover the fingers, enabling users to interact freely with the real world.
The Phantom glove, developed by a VR startup called Afference based in Colorado, has received the CES 2024 Innovation Award. The device consists of an electronic module/battery connected by wires to five adjustable rings that can be attached to the base of each finger. All these components are connected to lightweight straps made of durable material, which are fastened around the wrist and leave the hands uncovered.
The entire device wirelessly connects via Bluetooth to external VR goggles, game consoles, computers, or mobile devices. When users grasp or touch virtual objects in the VR world, the rings on their real fingers stimulate the nerves connecting the fingertips to the brain. As a result, the brain “imagines” that the fingers are touching something, creating the corresponding sensation of touch in those fingers. When not touching any virtual objects, the exposed fingers can still sense objects in the surrounding environment.
Jacob Segil, co-founder of Afference, says, “We can create realistic sensations, such as pressing a button, but also fantastical sensations, like shooting lasers from your finger. We describe it as artificial touch, which we typically experience as tingling, tickling, or vibrating in the finger. We adjust this information to the visual content, such as buttons, knobs, or other mechanisms.”
While the consumer version of the Phantom glove won’t be available before 2026, Segil and co-founder Dustin Tyler will focus on licensing the technology to commercial partners in the computerization space industry.
Check out the Phantom glove in action in the video below!
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the Phantom glove?
The Phantom glove is an innovative VR device that allows users to experience the sense of touch with virtual objects and surfaces.
2. Who created the Phantom glove?
The Phantom glove was created by a VR startup called Afference.
3. How does the Phantom glove work?
The Phantom glove consists of an electronic module/battery, wires, and five adjustable rings that are attached to the base of each finger. Wirelessly connected via Bluetooth to external VR goggles, game consoles, computers, or mobile devices, the glove stimulates the nerves connecting the fingertips to the brain, creating a sensation of touch in the virtual world.
4. What are the applications of the Phantom glove?
The Phantom glove can be used in various fields such as VR gaming, education, training, and simulations.
5. When will the consumer version of the Phantom glove be available?
The consumer version of the Phantom glove won’t be available before 2026.
Definitions:
– Virtual Reality (VR) Technology: Computer technology that allows users to move around and interact in three-dimensional virtual worlds.
– VR Startup: A new company specializing in virtual reality technologies.
– CES: Consumer Electronics Show, an annual consumer electronics trade show held in Las Vegas.
Suggested Links:
Afference Website: www.afference.com
CES Website: www.ces.tech
The source of the article is from the blog shakirabrasil.info