Wireality technology makes things tangible in VR

Every day there are more and more tactile simulation tools in VR. This time, scientists from Carnegie Mellon University in the USA presented their invention called Wireality.

The basis of the development is an interesting system of cables, fastened on the user's shoulders. They stretch forward the operator’s hands and with the help of a special tension controller, which works in conjunction with a headset, give us new opportunities in VR.

The system is activated only when the user tries to interact with virtual objects. As soon as the operator tries to touch it, the cable, due to the funicular force, doesn’t let them squeeze through the surface of the object with their finger. This creates a complete illusion that every object in virtual reality can be touched.

According to the developers, the system works even with complex surface textures. In other words, VR spaces can now be explored even by touch. The whole system weighs 273 grams, but the load on the hands is only 11 grams. The cost of the prototype is about $50.