Technology: Visions of holodecks

Researchers have used projected ultrasound to create floating 3D shapes that can be seen and felt in mid-air (Photo: University of Bristol), gizmag

***

Haptic is the magic word today, specifically haptic technology or haptics. At root the word means:

adjective: of or relating to the sense of touch, in particular relating to the perception and manipulation of objects using the senses of touch and proprioception--the reception of stimuli produced within the organism.

Tactile is a related term and a number of groups are working on making devices that offer tactile experience.

Researchers at the University of Bristol have coined the word ultrahaptics to describe their project. This article from gizmag, New ultrasound research creates holographic objects that can be seen and felt, describes their current efforts. Here's a video that explains more.

***

***

If you would like to track the University of Bristol's Interaction and Graphics (BIG) projects, here's the BIG home page URL.

Disney Research (Disney does research?) has a video about tactile rendering of 3D features on touch surfaces, from a project by the Pittsburgh research team. Their approach uses an electro-vibration based friction display. Here's the video published on the DisneyResearchHub channel.

***

***

Stuff, the magazine, reports on a prototype by Fujitsu that also uses ultrasonic haptic feedback, as does BIG's project.

Meanwhile MIT's Tangible Media Group is working on surfaces that actually change dimensionally. This video was published about six months ago on the MIT Media Lab channel.

***

***

The metaverse awaits.

-- Marge

Virtual Reality: Oculus Rift vs. CastAR

***

While gamers eagerly await the release of Oculus Rift in July (you can preorder Oculus Rift DK2, a developer kit, now), problems have been identified with its use.  Wagner James Au at New World Notes asks "Does Virtual Reality Literally Make Most Women Sick?."  His article was based on another one "Is the Oculus Rift sexist?"

According to Livescience "Men and Women Really Do See the World Differently." The report is based on research by Israel Abramov and others.

Today I'm looking at two candidates for VR (virtual reality)/AR (augmented reality) wearable consumer devices--Oculus Rift and CastAR.  (There are others, such as Sony's CES2014.)  From what I can gather Oculus Rift projects the images onto your eyes, while CastAR projects the images onto a screen in front of your eyes.  Both are headsets. And both projects were presented on Kickstarter (and have been funded).

Here's the trailer for Oculus Rift:

***

***

And here's a video that explains the CastAR technology and contains elements of the Kickstarter video:

***

***

There's a much longer video about CastAR featuring developer Jeri Ellsworth that has some interesting details about how the project got started. You can also preorder the CastAR.

***

***

-- Marge

Taking a poke at technology

Here's an assortment of cartoons looking at different types of technology from genetic engineering to social media.  As usual I'm taking a swipe at the U.S. Congress whenever I can.

From The Week here's Nate Beeler's "Old-Fashioned Demands:"

From USA Today there's Chan Lowe's cartoon about Google Glass:

This one is also from USA Today; it's by Clay Jones:

And a third one from USA Today (the last) is by Ed Stein:

At Cagle Post I found this one, titled "Engineering," by David Fitzsimmons:

That's it for today, Folks.

-- Marge

A mouse of every job

After years of eight to twelve hours a day of using a mouse my right wrist is complaining a lot.  I know I could switch to my left hand, but haven't. (And don't want to.)

There's a new product being offered at Kickstarter that may relieve the effects of excessive mouse usage, known as repetitive strain injuries (RSIs).  Many people refer to such effects as carpal tunnel syndrome.  Called the Mycestro, it's a 3D mouse that is worn on the index finger and can be operated while your hands are in position for typing.  It could also be called a wearable wireless air mouse.  Here's a video:

While checking to see if there are similar products, I came across several mice and some very good videos about them.  Three are shown below.

3DConnexion's 3D mouse is well-received by members of the CAD/3D software community.  You can read reviews at Newegg.com.  It seems you still have to use a regular mouse as well, though.  There's an excellent video at 3DConnexion's site and here's one from YouTube.  Note that the SpacePilot costs about $340; the SpaceNavigator averages $90.

Contour Design's ShuttleXpress and ShuttlePro are particularly useful for video editing.  At their site you will also see a new device called the Roller Mouse, which you can try out for free (didn't check it out, but you can).  Here's an excellent video about video editing and the ShuttlePro:

Lastly, here's a demo video for Gyration's Wireless Air Mouse.  It appears to operate like a Wii Nunchuk.  The demo video below is flawed, but gets the idea across.

Still trying to decide on a good solution...

-- Marge