Japanese researchers have unveiled a system that allows users to communicate physical sensations and haptic information between devices and could enable contactless augmented interactions in a range of use cases including healthcare, sports, education and e-commerce.
The Feel Tech human augmentation platform was developed by Japanese mobile network operator NTT Docomo, Keio University’s Embodied Media Project and Nagoya Institute of Technology’s Haptics Lab and “will share sensations that were traditionally difficult to convey through images, sound, text, or words alone,” the researchers say.
“As a result, the system should find practical applications in fields that rely on human senses, such as medicine and art.
“Additionally, shoppers on e-commerce sites could use it to experience the subtle feel of clothing fabrics, among other rich experiences not possible with other advanced technologies such as 3D or augmented reality.”
The system works by allowing a device that detects a person’s sensory state to share haptic sensations “quantified in terms of human tactile vibrations measured with a device similar to a piezoelectric sensor” with other devices connected to the platform. -shape which then reproduce these vibrations for other users.
“The haptic sensations and the corresponding video images are shared from one person to another (“target”). To achieve crucial synchronization of shared haptic and video data, the platform should take full advantage of the ultra-low latency that will be offered in future 6G mobile networks,” the researchers explain.
“Additionally, the platform can record the presenter’s sense of touch and share it with the target over time.
“For example, an amateur craftsman could use the system to pick up the subtle techniques of a master craftsman, or individuals could use it to haptically remember sensations, etc. [that] they lived at a younger age.
NTT Docomo will showcase the Feel Tech system at its Open House 23 online event on February 2 and at MWC Barcelona on February 27.
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