The first synthetic skin of virtual and augmented reality became a reality

Researchers from the US and China have created one synthetic skin", which enriches virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences with sense of touch.

Φresist feeling the hands of your loved one, even though he is on the other side of the world. It is a light, thin, wireless and sensitive tactile interface, which spreads gently on the natural skin and connects to the internet, transmitting through mechanical vibrations the touch of another distant human.

The researchers, led by the professor of materials science and biomedicine John Rogers of the School of Engineering and the School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Illinois, published in the journal Nature, stated that "technologies with multiple sensing capabilities will have far-reaching implications in a variety of fields."

The so-called "VR epidermis system", which resembles a patch and has dimensions of 15 by 15 cm, may in the future, through sensory feedback, have various applications in social media, telemedicine, better control of prostheses and other biomedical devices, in video games, in military applications etc. With the new system it will be possible e.g. someone on the internet to transmit his touch to a loved one who is far away or someone who is playing video games, to feel a blow to his body.

Traditional virtual and augmented reality technologies create human experiences through visual and auditory stimuli that reproduce corresponding senses of the physical world. The current VR systems (Virtual Reality ) and AR (Augmented Reality) typically use head-mounted screens to produce computer-generated XNUMXD environments that exist either in isolation from the physical world (the case of virtual reality) or by enriching the physical world (augmented reality). .

Compared to the eyes and ears, the skin, although the largest organ of the body, has been little studied as a sensory interface for VR and AR technologies. Attempts have been made in the past to create a virtual reality "skin" with communication capabilities, but they were based on electrode wires pressed against the body. The electrodes produced vibrations that activated sensory experiences. But it turned out to be difficult to do so, without causing pain or irritation to the natural skin.

The researchers created a more flexible and comfortable interface for wireless artificial leather, which does not require batteries or wires. It is capable of programmed electronic communication and of transmitting sensory stimuli through an array of 32 programmable and vibrating actuators, which are embedded in a soft and flexible polymeric material, which adheres to the natural skin without irritating it. Each actuator, which is 2,5 mm thick and 18 mm in diameter, creates a distinct tactile sensation on the skin.

The "skin" is connected wirelessly via NFC (Near-Field Communication) technology, such as that used by smartphones for electronic payments, with a touch screen mobile phone or tablet. When the user touches the screen, the touch is transmitted to the synthetic skin. In this way, as the Athenian News Agency broadcasts, a friend or relative who is far away, but touches the screen, transmits in almost real time (with a negligible time lag) his touch to the man who has the synthetic skin on him.

The new tactile technology can be combined with the well-known "headsets" of virtual reality, in order to produce a more interactive and integrated experience e.g. in the field of entertainment and in particular video games. Researchers are already trying to make the VR skin system even lighter and slimmer, as well as enriching it with new actuators (hundreds compared to the current 32) to provide more tactile sensations, such as heat. They will also try to incorporate the "skin" in the clothes.

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