The field of gaming and technology has described metaverse as "terrifying enough" already. Most people already know about a new device developed by a team of scientists to create sensations on a user's lips during virtual reality.
As indicated in a Futurism report, initial reports focused on the device's potential for stimulating the experience of "kissing for VR lonely hearts."
The future is here! https://t.co/Pvjo5Hl5bK
— Futurism (@futurism) May 2, 2022
Nonetheless, one of the creators of the gadgets has claimed that it would be much better suited for a far more terrifying purpose and that's creating the illusion of a spider walking on the lips.
Vivian Shen, a Carnegie Mellon robotics PhD student said one cannot make "this giant ball of feeling." That is why all the example sensations are very small like a spider on the face or stuff like rain and wind.
A New Device to Help Train Orthodontists and Dentists
While it may appear as something yanked straight out of a bad dream, inventors of this device are claiming it could make virtual reality more immersive, or even help train orthodontists and dentists.
Essentially, the device is working by bombarding the lower part of the visage with harmless ultrasound waves from 64 small transducers, a building up adequate pressure that it actually dents the skin, Shen, who coauthored the yet-to-be-reviewed study about the device, told the Daily Beast.
Shen also said that the new invention feels like a small vibrating node in space. More so, the device has some limitations, as well.
While it can duplicate disconcerting encounters such as a tiny arachnid creature that scuttles through the mouth, the gadget would not be able to produce enough force to replicate a sucker slap or punch, "for better or worse."
Nonetheless, it can replicate the sensation of a person taking a sip of coffee, a puff of a cigar, or even brushing his teeth, as demonstrated on the Future Interfaces Group's YouTube video below.
It will perhaps, be a while until consumer products are seen producing use of ultrasound wave technologies, if ever.
Nevertheless, it definitely sounds like an artistic way of bringing some of the most horrifying nightmares to life.
Potential Outcomes for Haptic Feedback
As earlier mentioned, the researchers devised an array of over 60 tiny ultrasound transducers that focus the waves on the mouth of the wearer, increasing the sensory effects.
As described in the study yet for review, the invention is not perfect. While it worked to produce mouth-specific impacts, it was not effective for sensations involving larger body parts such as walking through cobwebs.
Nonetheless, it does provide some of the most potential outcomes for haptic feedback on the mouth of the user.
Acoustic pressure, Shen explained, is made from all the transducers. That's the reason there's a need for a range of transducers.
Depending on the angle and placement, the transducers need to be fired at a different time in order for the peak of the wave to heat the same spot as the one next to it.
Other than gaming, Shen said that there is an array of applications for the device which includes training simulations for medical practitioners such as orthodontists and dentists.
Doing this type of training in VR can enable the wearers to carry out mock procedures from any place all over the world.
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