Ultraleap mid air haptics vs VR glove for button feel

[Shack]

Got an email from Ultraleap regarding their progress with "mid air haptic feedback".  I asked the question as to whether that would allow the user to sense or feel a button push or a rotary knob twist with this news and this is the response that I received.  I thought the technology was further along with haptic feedback by wearing VR gloves such as those shown below ...

"Our mid-air haptcis technology works by stimulating the mechanoreceptors of the hand using ultrasound. effectively this works by creating a focal point in mid-air and moving this incredibly fast to form shapes and patterns, see here for more detail on this. These mid-air haptics work best in an experience to provide the physical feedback and confirmation that VR experiences often lack and to inform the user that they have touched or interacted with an object for example.
 
Currently it's difficult effectively convey a texture via sensation alone by using focused ultrasound. From our user testing we have found that a a big part of what a user feels is linked to what they expect to feel and the mid-air haptics acts as a physical confirmation of that object or interaction.
 
There are elements of a mid-air haptic sensation that can be modified such as the intensity and duration and I would recommend experimenting with the sensation editor and demo suite to how this affects the user experience.
 
From our research and user testing we find that how the user experiences the sensation and textures is closely linked to the visual stimuli that is presented, for example if a user sees lightning on screen they are more likely to describe the sensation in those terms or crackling or electrical compared to if a user is taking part in a demo where they are popping bubbles with their finger
 
This knowledgebase article also includes some great tips about how to design effective haptics based on how these are physically perceived by the user.
 
I hope this information helps, I look forward to hearing from you with some ideas of what you would like to design and create and will be happy to advise further as needed.

 

News from Ultraleap: 

Designing effective mid-air haptics – Ultraleap Support (leapmotion.com)

 

 

[SharpeXB]

Yeah it probably costs $100k and comes with a backpack air compressor

[YMadDog]

No air compressor... it is ultrasound so no air flow

[SharpeXB]

9 hours ago, YMadDog said:

No air compressor... it is ultrasound so no air flow

Did you watch the video? The Haptx system has a backpack air compressor and costs “as much as a luxury car”

[tomcat_driver]

Who need cars anyways?

[YMadDog]

On 1/17/2023 at 3:43 PM, SharpeXB said:

Did you watch the video? The Haptx system has a backpack air compressor and costs “as much as a luxury car”

Oh sorry, my fault. I was still writing about Ultraleap with its ultrasonic solution.