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Japanese Firm Showcases "Touchable" 3-D Technology

Posted by samzenpus on from the feel-it-and-play-it dept.

skade88 notes an interesting new piece of tactile feedback technology unveiled in Japan. Officials of Miraisens, a high-tech firm based outside Tokyo, said the technology, which can be used to improve the gaming experience or allow someone to physically shape objects that exist only on a computer, will soon be available for purchase. "Touching is an important part of human communication, but until now virtual reality has lacked it," Chief Executive Natsuo Koda said. "This technology will give you a sense that you can touch objects in the 3-D world," said Koda, a former virtual reality researcher for Sony Corp. It works by fooling the brain, blending what the eye sees with different patterns of vibration created by a small fingertip device, said Norio Nakamura, the inventor of so-called 3D-Haptics Technology and chief technical officer at the firm. In one demonstration of a prototype head-mounted display, the company showed how the wearer can feel resistance by pushing virtual buttons.

24 of 41 comments (clear)

  1. What We're All Thinking... by wolfborg · · Score: 3, Funny

    Porn please.

    1. Re:What We're All Thinking... by rmdingler · · Score: 1

      Especially if the game can touch back.

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    2. Re:What We're All Thinking... by ArcadeMan · · Score: 4, Funny

      No, this is Japan. It's going to be hentai with schoolgirls and tentacles and stuff.

      When can I buy one?

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    3. Re:What We're All Thinking... by Cley+Faye · · Score: 1

      For once, no, I'm not thinking porn when discussing virtual reality. One thing I'd like to see is a fully virtual keyboard, that could pop out in front of you, and be actually usable. That would be more interesting than force-feedback porn, which can already be simulated by other means (including maybe actual sex).

    4. Re:What We're All Thinking... by Jonifico · · Score: 1

      A touchable tentacle still sounds like an interesting feeling. Not for self-pleasure purposes, but there you go. I'm in!

  2. Only a matter of time ... by cascadingstylesheet · · Score: 1

    ... before no teenage boy leaves the house. Ever!

    1. Re:Only a matter of time ... by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1

      I blame Steve Carell.

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    2. Re: Only a matter of time ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      "Only if you define virgin as never having had sex with a human..."

      Like every sane person does....

    3. Re:Only a matter of time ... by StripedCow · · Score: 1

      This is my favorite explanation for the Fermi paradox.

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      If Pandora's box is destined to be opened, *I* want to be the one to open it.
  3. I guess I'm the only one ... by machineghost · · Score: 1

    Wow, I guess I'm the only person on Slashdot whose first thought was "virtual keyboards I can actually feel, how cool is that?" and not "tentacle porn!"

    1. Re:I guess I'm the only one ... by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1

      Lace: The Final Brassiere. ...

      Oh hurry up, I'm a busy man. Ugh, this high-speed modem is intolerably slow.

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  4. Want some serious 3D? by Mister+Liberty · · Score: 1

    Look around you. You'll soon understand some blessings of 2D, and the many of 1D.

  5. Re:Liru by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1

    You're going to love this.

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  6. Re:This is much cooler by qpqp · · Score: 1

    The link you provided only has an input device (motion capturing) vs. an output device (haptic feedback). An interesting product, but not directly related to the tech discussed here.
    Their website also doesn't have any haptic feedback devices, so if you could please elaborate on your "this company has a tactile feedback" statement, and show the feedback part, I'd very much appreciate it.

  7. Useful for 3D modeling? by Khyber · · Score: 1

    I could imagine a sculpting program where you could push and pull and pinch and press things and feel it being created under your fingertips.

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  8. Re:This is much cooler by Travis+Mansbridge · · Score: 1

    Looks like their first stretch goal, which they've met, was a "rumbler for tactile feedback," about 5% down the page.

  9. "Touchable"? by Engeekneer · · Score: 1

    Touchable? Really? At least it's in quotes, but, really? How about "tactile" which is a word?

    What is this, technology for corrupt cops?

  10. Re:This is much cooler by qpqp · · Score: 1

    Oh... In this case, I stand corrected. I wonder if that "rumbler" is worth it, though.

  11. Re:This is much cooler by fullback · · Score: 1

    You wonder if it's "worth it?" It's free to the kickstarter backers.

  12. piffle by koan · · Score: 1

    This kind of crap is never synced up correctly, there's always a miniscule delay the brain feels making VR uncomfortable to use.

    --
    "If any question why we died, Tell them because our fathers lied."
    1. Re:piffle by qpqp · · Score: 1

      I think this is a valid concern, however, if you think about it, when we're distracted and focus on something else (e.g. visual or auditory stimulation), it doesn't have to be as fast as your nervous system, just close enough to it.
      That's the way pocket thieves work.

  13. Re:Neato by koan · · Score: 1

    Link?

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    "If any question why we died, Tell them because our fathers lied."
  14. Re:This is much cooler by qpqp · · Score: 1

    Yes, for me "worth it" means the functionality and abilities, not how much it costs. My time and nerves are worth much more than gold.

  15. Re:Neato by cshark · · Score: 1

    Sure thing. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/3d...

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