Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) are advancing rapidly in terms of immersion and realism. From Japanese VR-piloted train workers to joining the metaverse, the technology’s potential is enormous. Researchers now want to add to the richness of the human experience by incorporating the lips as a new haptic target. The mouth is the second most tactilely sensitive organ after the fingertips, allowing fine-grained haptics to function well.
VR and Spiders?!
Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University’s Future Interfaces Group modified an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset with ultrasonic transducers, which means the components are integrated within the headgear and the user doesn’t need any additional devices or infrastructure.
After that, the ultrasonic transducer concentrates sound energy onto the mouth, simulating various sensations. Single impulses, impulse trains, swipes in the x, y, and z directions, and persistent vibrations can all induce pulsations. These can imitate many feelings such as wind, brushing one’s teeth, or even kissing.
This isn’t the first time ultrasonic transducers have been utilized in fascinating gadgets; people have seen them before in sonic screwdrivers and levitation gauntlets, for example.
More About the Invention
The team ran several sensory demonstrations on the users, including a spooky forest, school simulator, and racing game. The simulation of a haunted woodland is not recommended for those with arachnophobia. In this demonstration, users had to traverse eerie woods while pushing through spider webs; this experience was sensed in their mouths (from the x-swipe). This was followed by the gamer entering a clearing where a spider climbed into their mouth (simulation from random impulses). The user must then fire a flare pistol at the spider, causing it to explode and the player to feel the resultant goo splash (simulated by random impulses on the mouth at a higher frequency).
The survey indicated that mouth haptics increased immersion realism and other significant characteristics in virtual reality encounters.
Due to the nature of the research and their desire to keep everything G-rated, the scientists refrained from addressing any kissing possibilities. However, if this approach gets more widespread, it might be employed in prospective VR kissing booths. If people choose this path, many lonely hearts around the world may be able to experience love and affection – on demand.