Tech Project

HaptIVR - Haptic Interaction for Virtual Reality
VRUXInteractionWearableTactileImmersive EnvironmentHaptic feedbackVirtual realityHuman-computer interaction
Open Call
In Residency
Residency Outcome
Adding touch to virtual reality interactions with the development of a wearable haptic device for VR.
http://www-list.cea.fr/en/technological-research/research-programmes/ambient-intelligence/internet-of-things
From Jan. 12, 2018 to Jan. 3, 2020
  • bracelet Picture showcasing a prototype of a vibrotactile wristband for communication, CEA LIST
    bracelet Credits: Picture showcasing a prototype of a vibrotactile wristband for communication, CEA LIST

Description of the challenges faced by the Tech Project

The project aims to design and develop a wearable device that provides touch feedback when interacting in the virtual world, both with objects and virtual avatars. Different technologies will be investigated, such as simple vibration motors for touch interactions or squeezing systems for more complex interactions with the avatar, to find the best compromise in terms of quality of feedback, acceptability, portability and cost. The different versions of the device prototype will be made available to the artist for testing, together with the information necessary to integrate them in the artwork.

Brief description of technology

The project will design and develop a wearable device that provides tactile feedback when interacting in the virtual world, both with objects and virtual avatars. Different technologies will be investigated, such as simple vibration motors for touch interactions or squeezing systems for more complex interactions with the avatar, to find the best compromise in terms of quality of feedback, acceptability, portability and cost (for these same reasons kinesthetic devices will not be explored). The different versions of the device prototype will be made available to the artist for testing, together with the software libraries and information necessary to enable their integration into the artwork.

What the project is looking to gain from the collaboration and what kind of artist would be suitable

We would like an artist to participate in the design and validation of an innovative device to provide touch feedback to virtual reality setups, by integrating such interactions in an immersive and interactive artistic installation. The artwork would showcase the capabilities of the device by incorporating touch interactions into the creative scenario. It would also enable to explore, together with the artist, illusions or ways to provide meaningful and convincing feedback for a truly immersive experience without the necessity of imitating real-world feedback with high-fidelity tactile feedback. The process will include ideation, building prototype(s) and testing them within the artwork. We are looking for an artist with an experience in virtual reality installations and eager to explore enriching virtual interactions with the sense of touch.

Resources available to the artist

The artist will work in the Atelier Arts & Sciences during the whole project (one of CEA’s three open labs, together with Ideas Laboratory and Alps Design Lab). He or she will collaborate directly with the teams of experts of the CEA LIST, with the support of the team of Atelier Arts Sciences to facilitate this collaboration and organize the public presentation of its results at EXPERIMENTA 2020.