Ultrasound to give
feel to games describes a breakthrough by some Japanese researchers in the
world of haptic technology, as they are able to convey a sense of touch via an
ultrasound interface without using gloves or other mechanical devices. Word is:
"The team's prototype system includes a camera which tracks the position of a
user's hand and shifts the output from the transducers to move the focus around
with the hand. The result is a feeling of tracing the edge or surface of the
virtual object." Advantages of this approach include the ability to "touch" an
object with both hands and the ability for multiple users to interface with
virtual objects. Disadvantages include the limited amount of feedback they are
currently able to generate and how their current prototype only works on a
vertical plane. Thanks Mike Martinez.