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Tactile VR

The Newest VR Interface: Tactile VR

In this post, we’ll discuss the newest virtual reality (VR) interface called tactile VR.

We’ll explain what it is, how it works, and the foundations on which it’s being developed.

So if you want to get a better understanding of this new innovative VR technology, you’ll enjoy this article.

Let’s begin.

What Is Tactile VR?

Tactile VR is a new form of virtual architecture. Like all VR, it’s a digital simulation built on VR technology. It creates a completely interactive, multi-sensory virtual experience based on sound, sight, and touch.

This makes the digital information that users see and hear seem touchable to them, as well.

How Does Tactile VR Work?

To achieve this level of immersion, full sensory VR is built on old and new technology. 

Tactile VR relies on a virtual reality headset and kinetic elements contained in a physical setting or clothing.

An example of this is a haptic digital architectural environment, as well as various virtual reality bodysuits and gloves.

The kinetic elements within these components rouse the human body through various stimulants so that it perceives artificial stimulation as the sense of touch.

Along with the digital information users receive from the VR headset, this haptic tactile technology is what you experience as tactile VR.

But to truly understand how tactile VR technology works, we need to explain haptics and haptic technology.

What Is Haptic Touch Tactile Sense?

Haptics is a branch of science that studies the sense of touch and the way humans and animals use tactile stimulation as a form of non-verbal communication.

The word itself comes from the Greek word ἁπτικός (haptikos), which means: “tactile, pertaining to the sense of touch”.

What Is Haptic Technology?

Haptic technology (kinaesthetic communication or 3D touch) is a technology that’s designed to simulate the experience of touch. Haptic devices may contain tactile sensors and kinetic components that exert a number of various artificial stimulations on the user.

But what are these stimulants? 

And…

What Makes Someone Touchable?

The human body, skin, and nervous system sense a variety of stimulants.

According to scientists, human beings can distinguish between three sensory systems:

  • Cutaneous receptors (sensing through the skin)
  • Kinaesthetic (sensing self-motion and body position)
  • Haptic (a tactile exploration of the surface of things)

The combination of your cutaneous and kinaesthetic sense is your tactile perception, while haptic touch is active sensing used for non-verbal communication and object recognition.

The Implementation of Haptic Technology

As we’ve mentioned, haptic technology depends a lot on the artificial sensations haptic devices use to stimulate the user.

It stands to reason then, that virtual reality touch sense depends on all three sensory systems of the human body.

And there are four ways you can implement these senses in haptic technology:

Vibration

Vibration as physical contact is one of the most common ways electronic devices generate haptic feedback. Two of the most common types of this kind of artificial stimulations are:

Eccentric Rotating Mass (ERM) – unbalancing weight through shaking

Linear Resonant Actuator (LRA) – translating AC electrical signals into motion

Force Feedback

Is weight a tactile feeling? Is movement?

Some haptic technology devices exert force to manipulate the user’s sense of touch. The forces involved depend on the sensory system they rely on to achieve this.

On the one hand, devices that use kinaesthetic are typically passive environments. Think 5D movie theaters or flight simulators. 

These haptic technologies manipulate the surroundings of the user according to the digital information he receives through the headset.

On the other hand, devices that exert force feedback can also rely on haptics to manipulate an item held by the user and simulate objects, textures, momentum, and even the physical presence of objects in a virtual setting.

Temperature Sensation

Humans detect temperature as a cutaneous sense. In fact, we can detect a thermal sensation that ranges from noxious cold (< 8°C/46.4°F) to noxious heat (> 52°C/125.6°F).

According to researchers:

“This broad spectrum suggests the existence of temperature sensors with distinct thermal sensitivities.”

To rouse these sensitivities, some haptic devices use Infrared Radiation (IR). But how does IR use haptic sensing?

Some bodysuits create virtual reality touch sense through tiny sensors that emit IR. As they light up, they heat (or cool) the surface of the body and the user experiences that change in temperature as the result of his virtual surroundings.

Full Immersion VR: The Final Frontier

As virtual reality gains popularity, it’s easy to see that tactile VR is the next frontier for the virtual experience.

Although there’s a long way to go, in the future, we may see the application of tactile VR evolve beyond VR player bio haptics (feeling explosions and bullet impacts in games). 

Innovations such as a full interface touch or touching over the Internet at long distances may become a virtual reality all of us will experience in our lifetimes.

But until then, we suggest that you stay up to date.

How?

Read the latest news, insights, and tips from the world of technology on the Demakis Technologies blog.

Virtual Reality in Business

Virtual Reality in Business

This is a quick guide to virtual reality (VR) in business.

In this new guide, we’ll address key topics such as:

  • The advantages of using virtual reality for business
  • The industries where VR is making the biggest leaps
  • The innovative applications that leverage VR technology

So if you’re looking to make VR part of your business operations, this guide is for you.

Let’s begin.

Virtual Reality in Business in 2021

Virtual Reality in Business 2021

Virtual reality isn’t a new concept. But over the last few years, it seems to have taken off, finally managing to cross over into the realm of practical application.

In fact, many experts see VR as the future of work. 

Still, for such a promising technology, it isn’t featured on the prestigious Gartner Hype Cycle.

Why is that?

The reason behind its disappearance of VR technology has to do with the emergence of new VR business applications.

As soon as it was dropped by Gartner (after passing their Slope of Enlightenment), two new technologies emerged:

  • Augmented Reality
  • Mixed Reality

Both of these new fields of technology are based on VR. 

At the same time, the development of VR also depends on other tech innovations such as:

  • Computer graphics
  • Rendering technology
  • Computer processors
  • Display technology
  • Cloud computing
  • 5G

In fact, VR is still evolving.

So, while most of us witness its development as head-mounted displays, VR engineering isn’t just a headset.

Business Application of VR

virtual reality advantages in business

VR technology is the future of work. So in this part of the article, we’ll show four innovative applications of VR technology in business in 2021.

Let’s take a look:

#1 Commercial VR Systems (for e-Commerce)

It’s safe to say that e-commerce has risen leaps and bounds in the past several years. Some of it has to do with Amazon, and a lot has to do with COVID-19.

Amazon had changed online shopping with its fast fulfillment options like same-day delivery,  which according to McKinsey:

“It integrates the convenience of online retail with the immediacy of brick and mortar stores.”

And as technology like delivery management software helps businesses achieve these new tasks, VR technology may help them personalize the shopping experience.

Virtual stores, for example, are already emerging. IKEA’s Reality Kitchen Experience allows people to explore the offer in the store and inspect products via VR headsets before check out.

This kind of virtual online shopping could extend to car showrooms and real estate, while companies could analyze the heat maps of the VR experience to find patterns and improve the offer and their display in the virtual store.

#2 VR for Engineering and Manufacturing

Companies that use virtual reality for engineering are combining it with 3D-model visualization to come up with prototypes that are much more cost-effective. 

Because these models are digital, the product developers can use integrated analytics systems to get a better understanding of the project. 

Developers can use VR models to search for design flaws and modify the design before it moves to the production floor.

For example, Airbus is using VR technology to improve its aircraft design. Inside the planes, the company is using VR to check passengers’ in-flight experience, while on the plane exterior it’s testing aerodynamics without the use of wind tunnels and other expensive equipment.

#3 VR Technology in Work Environments

As COVID-19 continues to disrupt how companies conduct business, one area in which you may see the adoption of VR technology soon is in the workspace.

For example, remote jobs may start depending on virtual communication and collaboration. Teams could use the technology to attend virtual meetings without the need for commuting or physical contact.

Beyond the coronavirus pandemic, this kind of use of VR could benefit companies that rely on managed IT services to streamline how they do business with their providers.

business applications Virtual Reality

#4 Using VR for Practical Training Applications

VR could also help certain professionals perform tasks in a virtual environment that would typically require physical interaction. Specifically, this could primarily be used for practical training.

Both civil and military pilots have for years now been using flight simulators to learn how to fly. But as VR technology progresses, they may not even need the flight simulator machines anymore.

Instead, they could simply step inside a virtual cockpit and simulate flight controls to learn the fundamentals of flight.

This kind of use of VR in the workplace may transfer to everyday jobs, as well. 

Sales associates, for example, could practice their persuasion techniques and sales pitches with customized VR applications that simulate real-life sales situations.

If you want to know more about Virtual Reality and its use in business, stay up to date by reading the latest trends in technology and business on the Demakis Technologies blog.