Electronic skin promises ultra immersive VR
Future virtual and augmented reality systems could also come equipped with the sense of touch thanks to electronic skin technology developed by engineers at the City University of Hong Kong.
The group’s system of so-called “electronic skin-integrated haptic interfaces” can transmit sensory stimuli to the body via the wireless actuator that converts energy to mechanical vibrations.
Electronic skin gives robots the human touch
Jellyfish inspire waterproof electronic skin
“Our target is to develop electronic skin that can be comparable to human skin,” said Dr Yu Xinge, the principal author of an article on the research in the journal Nature. “Compared with similar types of equipment on the market, our new system is light and thin that can be tightly attached to human skin. Also, it’s wire-free and battery-free.”
Composed of more than 700 functional components, the system is less than 3mm thick and comprises a number of different layers including a thin elastomeric layer as a reversible, soft adhesive interface to the skin, a silicone encapsulated functional layer that supports a wireless control system and a series of interconnected actuators, and an external layer of breathable fabric, which can be put together with wearable clothes.
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