Article Options
The Next Big Thing
Posts about next generation technologies and their effect on business.

Reach out and touch, well nothing…

Charlie Bess| August 27, 2010 - last edited January 27, 2011
Post a Comment
0

One of the problems with virtual reality is that it is so, well, virtual...but maybe not for long.  Researchers at the Computer Vision Lab at ETH Zurich have developed a method to produce virtual copies of real objects that can be touched and sent via the Internet. This article talks about the efforts to create virtual reality you can touch.

 

In order to accomplish this, they’ve used a 3D scanner to record the image and dimensions of the object. Next a probe with a force, acceleration, and slip sensor collects information about the object’s shape and solidity, and a model is created on the computer. It can then be displayed remotely allow a user to sense the object using a haptic (touch) device and while viewing it with 3D glasses.

 

Not sure what the business implications will be but it does make for some interesting remote collaboration possibilities. Taking these approaches from a haptic pen to gloves or other more intuitive approaches would definitely make the experience more user friendly.

 

Here is also an article from the BBC on using virtual reality to tackle tough questions.

Tags: 3D| collaboration| Displays| Sensors| User Interface| View All (7)
Labels: 3D| Collaboration| Displays| Sensors| User Interface| Virtual reality| Vision
Labels:
Leave a Comment

We encourage you to share your comments on this post. Comments are moderated and will be reviewed
and posted as promptly as possible during regular business hours

To ensure your comment is published, be sure to follow the community guidelines.
Be sure to enter a unique name. You can't reuse a name that's already in use.
Be sure to enter a unique email address. You can't reuse an email address that's already in use.
Type the characters you see in the picture above.Type the words you hear.
 
Search
turn on suggestions Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
About the Author
  • Steve Simske is an HP Fellow and Director in the Printing and Content Delivery Lab in Hewlett-Packard Labs, and is the Director and Chief Technologist for the HP Labs Security Printing and Imaging program.
Follow Us