Devices for a Physical Immersion into Virtual Reality

Devices for Physical Immersion into Virtual Reality — technical solutions (i.e., hardware and software) for interaction with the virtual reality, which are able to engage up to 5 human senses and simulate walking, thereby creating complete immersion in the virtual world.

In addition to visual images and sound, such devices provide haptic feedback that may include a person’s position in space, a simulation of taste, a simulation of smell, etc.

Haptic feedback types

Haptic technology is quite difficult to implement. Today, there are several solutions that allow conveying different senses in various ways.

Vibrotactile feedback

The most studied and most common type of haptic feedback today. Gamepad with vibration support and mobile phone vibration when receiving a message or an incoming call are examples of this technology.

Force feedback

Force feedback allows one to feel pressure on the body. One usage example is car simulators that make the wheel simulate forces experienced when driving a real car. Another example is a VR gun that uses haptic feedback to simulate real gunfire.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a complex and less common type of feedback. By generating high-frequency sound, it is possible to feel the shape, as well as the texture, of the object.

Thermal feedback

It creates the ability to feel heat, cold, as well as the transition from cold to heat and vice versa in virtual reality. In order to achieve thermal feedback, textile-based microfluidics are used.

Electrical stimulation

This feedback type uses small electrical impulses, usually working at different frequencies, amperage, and amplitude. In virtual reality, it is much easier to reproduce electrical stimulation than to simulate a chemical reaction. An individual electrical signal can be configured for each sensation — thereby it is possible to feel the object getting into the body, to feel touches, or even weather conditions, such as rain.

Problems of existing systems

Today, systems that allow people to completely immerse in virtual reality do not exist. Modern solutions can only be called partial immersion systems due to existing problems.

Insufficient stimulation of human feelings

In most devices, only 2 of 5 senses are stimulated — vision and hearing. This is clearly not enough to completely immerse in virtual reality.

Wires presence

A head-mounted display processes a huge amount of data, and communication cables are used for receiving and sending this data. Often, cables do not allow people to feel complete freedom in virtual reality.

The quality of interaction with the virtual world

In order to interact with the virtual world, controllers are used. However, for full interaction with objects, in order to be able to feel the weight of the object, its texture, grab it in hand, and rotate it, special virtual reality gloves (i.e., wired glove), are required. Virtual reality gloves are a motion capture system with the aim of tracking the position of the hand in three-dimensional space, tracking the movements of the fingers, tracking the rotation of the hand regarding body position, as well as fine motor skills. When there is contact with the object, the feedback mechanism is activated. The touch of texture can be implemented using electrical stimulation. In the case of a large object, such as touching a wall, vibrotactile feedback should be used.

Walking simulation

Walking simulation is one of the most important things for full immersion in virtual reality. One solution to this problem may be using special devices that allow movement inside them. Such solutions support the human body and even relieve fatigue.

Existing projects

Cave. Launched in 1992 and consists mainly of huge stereoscopic displays throughout the room. Acoustics are built into the walls, as well as a motion capture system.
AlloSphere. A huge stereoscopic sphere, consisting of a large number of stereoscopic displays, an integrated motion capture system, acoustics, etc.
Teslasuit. A high-tech suit for complete immersion in virtual reality with tactile feedback. It contains many built-in systems, such as a motion capture system, a climate control system, and even a biometric control system. In addition, the suit is completely wireless.
VRealizer. A concept of immersion in virtual reality, suggesting the absence of an exoskeleton. A unique system allows simulating physical activity, working as a virtual gym. Moreover, it can reduce muscle strain. Particular attention to force feedback is one of the main principles of the project.
Microsoft Haptic Links. An experimental controller for virtual and augmented realities. The controller should be held in two hands. With its help, one can carry out both complex actions, such as playing musical instruments, and simpler ones, for example, weight carrying. According to the developers, the device dynamically changes the forces perceived by the user's hands to reproduce various two-handed objects and actions.

External links

Official Website Teslasuite
AlloSphere: a unique instrument of the future for art, education and science // Online Academy Zillion, 2013.11.27
Meet VRealizer™ The workout experience that erases the line between fantasy and reality. Official Website VRealizer.
Haptic Links: Bimanual Haptics for Virtual Reality Using Variable Stiffness Actuation / April 2018

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