Many developers of virtual reality devices are concerned that users are unable to see their own hands in an imaginary environment created by computer, as well as free to manipulate objects of the computer world. Of course, technology tracking movements of fingers and hands are developed and improved, but they are far from perfection. Automakers already mastered voice control entertainment system support functions are now dreaming to introduce appropriate gesture recognition technology - the driver does not need to reach the display on the front panel, but only to bring a hand.
The British company UltraHaptics, as reports EE Times, has developed a technology simulation of tactile sensations using focused ultrasound generated by the network of transmitters with computer control. raised hand to such a panel, you can feel the touch of objects of different shapes: allow existing prototypes to simulate contact with the surface of the sphere, the cone, cube and some other primitive objects. Produced by ultrasound pressure on the skin palm and fingers measured fairly modest 4-10 Pascal but it's enough for a confident determination of the shape of the simulated object. Experiments have shown that 80% of the users reliably determine the shape of the virtual object.
The developers believe that this kind of tactile interaction with computers will find application in the technology of virtual reality within a year and a half. Transmit ultrasonic vibrations with high accuracy positioning is possible at a distance of up to one meter . For drivers such technologies promise significant changes in the management systems of the car ergonomics. For example, a manufacturer can put in the emulator objects on the various forms of vehicle control: rotary knob, slide control or a rocker arm. In some cases, the presence of such interface will remove the excess of dashboard button .