Disney Creates New Mid-Air Haptic Technology

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Disney Creates New Mid-Air Haptic Technology

Posted by Soulskill on Saturday July 20, 2013 @12:02PM from the holodeck-inches-closer dept.

An anonymous reader sends word of a new technology from Disney called AIREAL, featured at this year's SIGGRAPH 2013 conference in Anaheim, CA. It's designed to give tactile sensations to people who are using motion control devices. The device can track a target, like a user's hand, and send a compressed ring of air quickly through the intervening space to provide haptic feedback. They say the device is both inexpensive and scalable. Several of its parts are easily 3-D printed.

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3D Boobs by Anonymous Coward · 2013-07-20 12:10 · Score: 1, Insightful

Title says it all. I predict this will be one of the first commercial applications of this wonderful new technology.
1. Re:3D Boobs by Cryacin · 2013-07-20 13:32 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Great, so now dead space 4 will not only have nasties jumping out of the dark, but a gentle wisp of breathing on my neck as well.
  
  I think the sales of adult diapers will be going through the roof.
  
  --
  Science advances one funeral at a time- Max Planck
2. Re:3D Boobs by newcastlejon · 2013-07-20 14:17 · Score: 2
  
  Never mind boobs, this thing will revolutionise blow jobs.
  
  --
  If God forks the Universe every time you roll a die, he'd better have a damned good memory.
3. Re:3D Boobs by gagol · 2013-07-20 14:24 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  You know a blow job is not simply blowing air on a penis, right? There is a suction part missing to make it happens.
  
  --
  Tomorrow is another day...
4. Re:3D Boobs by Anonymous Coward · 2013-07-20 14:49 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Use the other end of the device.
5. Re:3D Boobs by davester666 · 2013-07-20 17:05 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Yeah, the part with the fan.
  
  --
  Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
6. Re:3D Boobs by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2013-07-20 22:27 · Score: 1
  
  Perhaps the game will be cheaper now that adult diaper companies will be sponsoring the development. That's something to look forward to, don't you think?
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
7. Re:3D Boobs by The+Cat · 2013-07-20 22:44 · Score: 1
  
  Translation:
  "Hi. I start sentences with the word 'actually' which is a code word for 'I am a walking penis.'"
  Thank you.
8. Re: 3D Boobs by Jeremiah+Cornelius · 2013-07-21 05:18 · Score: 1
  
  Have yourself fun, fucking the Mario Bros, dude.
  
  --
  "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
  Never been known to fail..."
9. Re:3D Boobs by The+Cat · 2013-07-21 20:54 · Score: 1
  
  I stopped reading at "Actually" because the giant walking penis alarm went off.
This doesn't change the fact that... by msauve · 2013-07-20 12:25 · Score: 1, Informative

Disney is evil, constantly pushing for increasing copyright terms, and stealing our culture from us.

They built the company upon other's original works (brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson, Mark Twain, etc.), and now want keep others from having a similar opportunity.

--
"National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
1. Re:This doesn't change the fact that... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-07-20 13:42 · Score: 1
  
  Well, if Disney grows from products they conceived and developed themselves this kinda does change that fact.
2. Re:This doesn't change the fact that... by peragrin · 2013-07-20 23:13 · Score: 1
  
  Same company but disney does a lot with robotics, and other technolgies combining them in wayss you wouldn't think about. Their theme parks are a example of some really cool really practical advanced tech being used to it's limits.
  the thing is most of it is hidden behind smoke, mirrors, and costumes so you never see it or hear it. They call it disney magic.
  
  --
  i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
3. Re:This doesn't change the fact that... by Sarten-X · 2013-07-22 02:09 · Score: 1
  
  Ding ding ding! We have a winner!
  Disney's parks are chock-full of the latest feats of engineering. In fact, that was pretty much the original plan for EPCOT - a self-contained community for trying out upcoming technology. Sadly capitalism got in the way of that plan, but I digress...
  Disney loves to not just brag about their latest feats, but they'll also happily show off their existing mechanisms. Each park has a behind-the-scenes tour that covers most of the major engineering, and the general workings of practically everything are shown off in disney's many publications (in the guise of boastful advertisements). They don't like getting into details, and they really don't like revealing anything that might aid copyright infringement (like releasing pictures of ride track design or concept art), but most of their mechanical magic is common knowledge.
  
  --
  You do not have a moral or legal right to do absolutely anything you want.
AIREAL + Oculus Rift would be amazing by MSRedfox · 2013-07-20 12:26 · Score: 3, Insightful

The idea of this mixed with an Oculus Rift would be amazing. We're getting close to the virtual reality they teased me with as a child.
1. Re:AIREAL + Oculus Rift would be amazing by Alejux · 2013-07-20 14:19 · Score: 1
  
  If only this wasn't being developed by Disney; the most evil, money grubbing company that exists. They probably secured the patent for this for the next 800 years and will sue anyone who tries to use air-based haptics this century.
2. Re:AIREAL + Oculus Rift would be amazing by black3d · 2013-07-20 15:35 · Score: 1
  
  Disney are definitely worse than EA. EA, for example, lets a lot of "fan projects" in old IP slide, and even released DRM free stuff on GOG from time to time. They may be money-grubbing, but Disney is just evil.
  
  --
  "The true measure of a person is how they act when they know they won't get caught." - DSRilk
3. Re:AIREAL + Oculus Rift would be amazing by lister+king+of+smeg · 2013-07-20 20:11 · Score: 1
  
  EA are just a bunch of assholes Disney is a bunch of evil assholes that buy laws to extend their power like the Micky Mouse/Sonney Bono copyright extension.
  
  --
  ---Saying gnome 3 is better than windows 8 not so much a compliment as it is damning with light praise.
4. Re:AIREAL + Oculus Rift would be amazing by Rakarra · 2013-07-20 21:51 · Score: 1
  
  If only this wasn't being developed by Disney; the most evil, money grubbing company that exists. They probably secured the patent for this for the next 800 years and will sue anyone who tries to use air-based haptics this century.
  Let's not break out the hyperbole. Copyright extension sucks, but there are a lot of other companies out there committing worse evils on a daily basis.
5. Re:AIREAL + Oculus Rift would be amazing by smustafa · 2013-07-22 04:31 · Score: 1
  
  Disney; the most evil, money grubbing company that exists.
  Not Oracle? I work in development and pre-sales and from my world view, I am certain that there has to be a hell and there has to be a special circle there for the Oracle decision makers.
The Only Market That Matters by DexterIsADog · 2013-07-20 13:04 · Score: 4, Funny

Are there applications for interactive porn? I don't know how much push they can put in those air rings, but if it's enough to stimulate a penis, I say... blow me.
1. Re:The Only Market That Matters by Dave+Emami · 2013-07-20 14:15 · Score: 1
  
  Sounds like Gabe's dream is about to come true.
  
  --
  
  "The Greens lynched a hacker in Chicago. Last month, but I think the body's still hanging from the old Water Tower."
2. Re:The Only Market That Matters by The+Cat · 2013-07-20 22:45 · Score: 1
  
  How about another porn post. Because you know, we didn't get it the first 118,000 times some neckbeard fuck snort-laughed while he posted "boobs."
3. Re:The Only Market That Matters by DexterIsADog · 2013-07-21 12:29 · Score: 1
  
  Mine was the first porn reference to the story, mine was a little cleverer than most, and, oh yeah...
  
  Go fuck yourself, you humorless, dried up killjoy. I looked at some of the "wisdom" in your other posts.
  
  1 - You're very angry.
  2 - Everyone else is stupid because they don't think just like you.
  3 - You like to use the word "penis" a lot. I mean, A LOT.
  
  Lighten up, Francis.
4. Re:The Only Market That Matters by The+Cat · 2013-07-21 20:52 · Score: 1
  
  I'm not angry. I write every post with a smile on my face.
  There was a time when Slashdot wasn't a gaggle of dicks.
  Sadly that time has passed.
5. Re:The Only Market That Matters by DexterIsADog · 2013-07-22 05:18 · Score: 1
  
  Whether the community has changed, or you have ossified and become irrelevant, you're not a good fit here. By all means, keep venting. I read some of your posts, and they are somewhat amusing, like watching a Roomba bump up against the same sneaker over and over.
  
  Feel free to respond with something ad hominem, but this isn't a conversation, and I won't read it.
Disney is a conundrum by Strange+Ranger · 2013-07-20 14:17 · Score: 1

Disney has such cool technology and amazing implementation from their theme parks to their cruise ships. It's fascinating to watch how they do things.

Meanwhile, the Disney Channel is so full of terrible awful nauseating acting and relentless fake laugh tracks that I can't stand when my kids have it on the other room. I make them turn it off. 5 other things on TV at any time that are much better for them and that they like (And yes OFF is the best setting). Yet you turn to any full length animated feature and it's usually pretty darn good.

Disney is ruining their name with their daily TV. Pre-teens "acting" worse than any 6th grade talent show, with dialogue that would choke a normal kid.
It's hard to understand the total disparity in quality.

--

Operator, give me the number for 911!
1. Re:Disney is a conundrum by DigiShaman · 2013-07-20 15:11 · Score: 1
  
  Disney is an IP company. The vision of Walter has long since been dead only for the momentum of his IP to carry the name forward. It's about purchasing cheap toys and talent and marking them up to insane levels. Give it another generation or two and Disney will be just another ho hum name. BFD!
  Anyone notice the lack of innovation and the shitty re-design of the Mac Pro? Apple is trending the same path after Jobs left. Ditto for Microsoft after Gates. Companies that thrived off leadership of one man are doomed to failure after said man leaves.
  
  --
  Life is not for the lazy.
2. Re:Disney is a conundrum by EmperorArthur · 2013-07-20 15:27 · Score: 1
  
  It's like the difference between Microsoft's research division and the rest of that company. Totally different groups, with totally different goals. Aside from sharing some IP* they could be completely different companies.
  My largest worry about this device is the lawyers. It's a neat concept, but they're going to patent it up the wazoo. Not the specific tech mind you, but the idea. Now no one can "Use an air pulse to provide haptic feedback" without getting their pants sued off by Disney.
  *IP="Intellectual Property" (also known as a government granted monopoly on an idea, thought, or expression)
  
  --
  So lets pretend that we've just completed writing this code, as opposed to having just completed sabotaging it -Altera
3. Re:Disney is a conundrum by Rakarra · 2013-07-20 21:50 · Score: 1
  
  It's hard to understand the total disparity in quality.
  One group handles film, animation, and theme parks.
  Other groups handle TV, ESPN, other subsidiaries.
4. Re:Disney is a conundrum by iluvcapra · 2013-07-21 03:43 · Score: 1
  
  The vision of Walter has long since been dead only for the momentum of his IP to carry the name forward.
  To be fair, at least according to Disney's biographers (I'm thinking Neal Gabler specifically here), merchandising and long-term franchises were a key part of his "vision" for family entertainment, perhaps not at first but for a great proportion of his career. He rigorously defended his company's trademarks and IP long before it was stylish to do so; this is the who, when he was young, he practiced his own signature every day during his lunch hour, so people would know it was his. He was obsessed with brand identity and defining his studio as a peerless source of safe, family entertainment, and his attitude was that anybody who made a knockoff Disney product or presented a Disney product without his approval was besmirching him, personally.
  He was originally drawn to the craft because he pioneered the mass-production of it, and he was just the sort of control freak who could make such an operation profitable and artistically valid. After World War II he'd completely burned out on animation itself, and turned his attention to theme parks where the entertainers were automata who never complained and performed perfectly every time. Meanwhile he consolidated his business empire.
  
  --
  Don't blame me, I voted for Baltar.
Is there a way to make a REVERSE air puff? by wisebabo · 2013-07-20 16:09 · Score: 3, Interesting

I know that the context of this thread hardly lends itself to serious speculation but I was just wondering...
Since "puffs" of air are basically over-pressure waves in a medium, can an apparatus be made to make an "under" pressure wave? In air, or water or other mediums? Prurient applications aside there might be some useful applications (I used to work in the theme park industry so water shows come to mind). Maybe if a cavitation bubble (which I understand is an under-pressure volume) could be projected, it could be an effective underwater weapon (they damage propellers on ships and submarines). Perhaps an acoustic under-pressure wave could damage eardrums or supress audio (useful for crowd control). How about undersea trench laying for fiber optic cables?
Most likely though there is something about the non-linear response of under-pressure waves that would prevent them from being used in a practical application. Then my next question would be, did the Disney researchers try using a pressure wave shaped in a soliton? This might enable it to travel great(er) distances without losing its "shape". Or are solitons even possible in compressive versus transverse waves?
Wouldn't be the first time the porn industry helped accelerate the adoption of a whole industry! (VCRs).
1. Re:Is there a way to make a REVERSE air puff? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-07-21 08:39 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  tl;dr: You can't push on a rope, and nature abhors a vacuum.
  You can easily create an underpressure wave by moving an object through a fluid. The region of underpressure follows behind the object, as the object has temporarily moved all the fluid out of the way. However, as soon as the object passes, the fluid rushes in to fill the underpressure region.
  Acoustic overpressure (aka fucking loud sounds) destroys eardrums just fine. Any sound loud enough to shake the air back and forth to the point where bubbles of vacuum appear is already loud enough to cause damage.
  Torpedoes destroy ships with an explosion followed by an imploding cavitation bubble. The hull may very well survive the initial explosion and shrapnel impact, but the explosion has pushed the water away from the ship's hull. The water rushes back into the resulting near-vacuum with peak pressure at impact. From the point of view of any hull-building material outside the realm of fiction, the overpressure from the collapsing bubble can be adequately described as "too much".
  You cannot create an underpressure wave in the wake of nothing. If you generate a region of vacuum through cavitation (rapidly move two parallel plates apart in a fluid, or spin a propeller too quickly and have its tips move faster than the fluid's surface tension can hold together, or anger a mantis shrimp), the fluid immediately rushes in on the vacuum from all sides. Vacuums can only pull; they cannot push.
  Powerful sonars can cause injury in animals caught within their beams (cf. whales with suspicious pressure-induced trauma) where the nulls in the sound waves hitting their body are basically vacuum. However, the nulls are caused by 210+ dB sound pressure levels piling up the fluid molecules around them. Just for fun, I tried to come up with an analogy for this kind of sound pressure level that sounds better than "standing a short distance from an explosion", but all I ended up with was sitting slightly inside the exhaust of a large modern turbofan engine with a three-piece rock band whose speakers and amps happen to be powered by the other three engines, and they're all having a nice heavy jam.
  You can push on a rope if you can get the entire rope to start moving in the direction you want. So maybe instead of focusing on vacuum, you should focus on warping space-time. Or a pulley
2. Re:Is there a way to make a REVERSE air puff? by gagol · 2013-07-21 16:45 · Score: 1
  
  +5 insightful
  
  --
  Tomorrow is another day...
Go for the eyes, Boo by Somebody+Is+Using+My · 2013-07-21 02:00 · Score: 1

So what happens if this thing blows its load right into the face of some tot and shoves some dust into precious' eyes? The little snowflake might be blinded! I see lawsuit written large in the future of this thing.
It doesn't matter how cool or useful something is; the over-zealous litigatory nature of American society will probably keep this from getting into common usage.
But what do I know; I'm just a grumpy old man who misses his lawn darts ;-)
1. Re:Go for the eyes, Boo by marcello_dl · 2013-07-21 08:29 · Score: 1
  
  > The over-zealous litigatory nature of American society...
  It's a global trend. I suspect it's correlated with the advent of powerful insurance companies: once you can get sued to bankrupcy for too many trivial reasons, your only reaction is to get insurance against such risks.
  
  --
  ---- MISSING MISCELLANEOUS DATA SEGMENT --- [sigdash] trolololol
Horror games? by kav2k · 2013-07-21 20:54 · Score: 1

I would say this is a great tool, when used in surround configuration, to enhance horror game experience.
You know, the "for optimal experience, play in a dark room with headphones" ones.
Possibilities by BrianJohns · 2013-07-22 07:03 · Score: 1

Great potential for a lot of different technologies and a whole new interface method for the blind.
1. Re:Possibilities by BrianJohns · 2013-07-22 07:06 · Score: 1
  
  Come to think of it, couldn't you simulate the experiencing of audio and hearing using the same principles, but using our tactile senses as the receivers instead of our aural ones. Someone could listen by feel, the same way that someone like Beethoven used to compose music as his hearing got worse.