Virtual Reality may not be limited to visuals in the near future. According to researchers at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, haptic feedback is included in VR to feel the texture of objects through their new wearable. This fingertip-sized device can go far beyond simply vibrating against skin to deliver richer haptics. It can make the user feel vibrations, pressure, stretching, twisting, and sliding. 

Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer-generated environment with scenes and objects that appear to be real, making the user feel they are immersed in their surroundings. A VR set typically consists of a headset and controllers. It aims to replicate sensory experiences, including sight, sound, and, in some advanced systems, touch and motion

According to John A. Rogers, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at NUE 

“Almost all haptic actuators really just poke at the skin….but skin is receptive to much more sophisticated senses of touch. We built a tiny actuator that can push the skin in any direction and in any combination of directions. With it, we can finely control the complex sensation of touch in a fully programmable way.”

Mechanoreceptors

This new fingertip wearable uses sophisticated technology of mechanoreceptors that make users think of as sensors within the skin. These receptors function at varying depths and have different levels of sensitivity to make the VR experience more real. 

Actuator

The haptic feedback wearables are wireless, and by combining newly developed actuators, they can be connected via Bluetooth. This tiny machine also includes an accelerometer and a battery. 

Multi-tasking

This new VR wearable has many other applications. According to Roger, 

“If you run your finger along a piece a silk, it will have less friction and slide faster than when touching corduroy or burlap. You can imagine shopping for clothes or fabrics online and wanting to feel the texture.”

VR is an emerging technology that is being used in healthcare, engineering, and entertainment. For healthcare, it can do therapy and rehabilitation, for elderly patients and pain management. For engineering, it can be used for architecture, construction, designing prototypes, and interior design. Additionally, for the entertainment industry, it is used in immersive gaming, movies, virtual concerts and events, virtual shopping, virtual museums, and the Metaverse.