Meta is building a haptic glove that could one day make the Metaverse (AR & VR) more immersive.
Meta (formerly known as Facebook) is building a haptic glove, which they say is washable, to make the Metaverse more immersive. With the haptic glove you can feel digital elements as physical.
The Metaverse is made up of Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR).
AR is reality superimposed on real or apparent reality. For example, Instagram filters on a selfie in Instagram Stories or Reels.
VR is a completely computer-generated imagery (CGI) reality. For example, a game world like Call of Duty (Modern Warfare).
These realities, being computer-generated, are visual, plain, and intangible. Meta is changing that with their haptic glove.
Haptic clothing will enable tangible interaction with computer-generated realities, for example; when you grab a virtual object, visually you can tell you're lifting the object, but now you'll also receive a sense of touch identifying to your senses that you are lifting an object. That's a completely new level of feedback. It will make virtual simulations more realistic.
Are you beginning to see the connection between movies like Ready Player One and the Metaverse here? 🤔
The Verge wrote: "For seven years, Meta has been working on a haptic glove that reproduces sensations like grasping an object or running your hand along a surface using air pockets.
"When you put on the glove and enter a VR or AR experience, a sophisticated control system adjusts the level of inflation, creating pressure on different parts of your hand. If you're touching a virtual object with your fingertips, you'll feel the sensation of that object pressing into your skin. If you're gripping a virtual item, the long finger actuators will stiffen, creating a sensation of resistance. These sensations work alongside visual and audio cues to produce the illusion of physical touch."
More to come on the Metaverse.
In the meantime, what are your thoughts? How do you imagine this technology will be used? Let me know in the comments.
Till next time. Stay curious. Stay healthy. ✌🏾