The
scientists'
glove, eventually
be
used by ETH Zurich, which also
called DextrES, has been instead. "The system's low carried out the user tests.
successfully
tested
on power requirement is due "Our partnership with the
volunteers in Zurich and to the fact that it doesn't EPFL lab is a very good
will be presented at the create a movement, but match. It allows us to tackle
upcomingACMSymposium blocks one," explains Shea. some of the longstanding
on User Interface Software The researchers also need challenges in virtual reality
and Technology (UIST). to conduct tests to see just at a pace and depth that
Fabric,
metal
strips how closely they have to would otherwise not be
and
electricity simulate real conditions possible," adds Hilliges.
DextrES is made of nylon to give users a realistic The next step will be to scale
with thin elastic metal strips experience. "The human up the device and apply it
running over the fingers. sensory system is highly to other parts of the body
The strips are separated developed
and
highly using conductive fabric.
by a thin insulator. When complex. We have many "Gamers are currently the
the user's fingers come different kinds of receptors biggest market, but there
into contact with a virtual at a very high density in are many other potential
object,
the
controller the joints of our fingers applications -- especially
applies
a
voltage and embedded in the in healthcare, such as
difference
between skin. As a result, rendering for training surgeons. The
the metal strips causing realistic feedback when technology could also be
them to stick together via interacting
with
virtual applied in augmented
electrostatic
attraction objectsisaverydemanding reality,"
says
Shea.
-- this produces a braking problem and is currently Source:
Ecole
forcethatblocksthefinger's unsolved. Our work goes Polytechnique
or thumb's movement. one step in this direction, Fédérale de Lausanne
Once
the
voltage
is focusing particularly on _________________________
removed, the metal strips kinesthetic
feedback," _______________
glide smoothly and the says
Otmar
Hilliges,
user can once again head of the Advanced The
glove
weight
move his fingers freely. Interactive
Technologies only
8g
per
finger.
Tricking
your
brain Lab
at
ETH
Zurich. Credit:
Marc
For now the glove is In
this
joint
research Delachaux / EPFL 2018
powered by a very thin project,
the
hardware
electrical
cable,
but was developed by EPFL Story
Source:
thanks to the low voltage at its Microcity campus in Materials
provided
by
and power required, a Neuchâtel, and the virtual Ecole
Polytechnique
very small battery could reality system was created Fédérale de Lausanne.
Articles & Research
36

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