Virtual reality: you want it to be believable. And to tackle the issue of realistic jumping in VR games, researchers at the University of Chicago have developed the JumpMod haptic backpack. The pack has a 2.2kg (4.4lb) weight on the back that moves along a vertical axis when a user jumps to create a different perception of the jump to the wearer. That’s cool; I want to feel like I’m jumping into the ball pit at Chuck E. Cheese!
Currently, the backpack can create five unique sensations: jumping higher, landing harder or softer, and being lifted higher or lower (like from a giant bird with you in its talons). But what about the sensation of me sitting on the couch and not accidentally jumping into the coffee table – that’s the virtual reality I want to be a part of.
Does this bring us one step closer to creating haptic suits like the one worn by Wade in Ready Player One? Maybe. Will we eventually spend the majority of our lives in virtual reality to escape actual reality? Only time will tell! But yes, the answer is yes.
[via TechEBlog]
0 Commentaires