Disney's New Tactile Tech Makes You Feel Real Collisions
12:00 AM - August 10, 2011 - By Douglas Perry -
Source : Disney
Think 3D gaming is the ultimate video game experience?
Think again. Scientists at Disney Research have developed a system called Surround Haptics, which is basically a technology that is designed to deliver physical impact on your entire body, and not just your hand via a rumble pack.
In its current stage, Surround Haptics is a chair that is equipped with vibrating actuators that can transmit a physical impact at least on the surface of your body that is exposed to a chair. Disney currently demonstrates Surround Haptics at Siggraph 2011 via a driving simulator that provides realistic sensations of collisions as well as "skidding, braking and acceleration, and experience ripples of sensation when cars collide or jump and land."
In the future, Disney believes that its Surround Haptics could find their way to clothing, gloves, sports equipment and mobile computing devices. This technology has the capability of enhancing the perception of flying or falling, of shrinking or growing, of feeling bugs creeping on your skin. The possibilities are endless, said Ivan Poupyrev, senior research scientist at Disney Research.
There was no information when Surround Haptics could find their way into commercial products.
