Disney showed a prototype costume virtual reality
A team of engineers from Disney Research, the MIT Media Lab and the Carnegie Mellon University created a Force Jacket suit that allows you to experience virtual reality.
How it works?
Often in VR-suits for tactile feedback vibro motors are used, but as noted by the authors of the new development, this approach completely ignores the pressure receptors. For a full immersion in Force Jacket, 26 airbags with sensors are used. Puffed up, they create a sense of touch or impact. In addition, the system allows you to create high-frequency vibrations.
Force Jacket is for the upper body. As a basis for the prototype, the usual life jacket was taken. The costume was not very comfortable, and the air compressor standing next to it limits mobility, but you need to start somewhere.
In a special software, you can test different sensations and calibrate the system. The team also created some simple VR-demos, including playing snowballs, simulating a "snake" crawling along the body (so it was not so creepy) and the effect of growing muscles a la Hulk.
Disney and the company will further improve the Force Jacket, and it's too early to talk about commercial use of technology.
If you add gloves to your costume, you can not only feel the virtual reality, but also feel it.
Source: Disney Research