VR tagged posts

Origami-inspired ring lets users ‘feel’ virtual worlds

A ring that lets users 'feel' virtual worlds
A wearable haptic force-feedback ring with a three-axis force-sensing skin. A) We developed a wearable haptic ring, OriRing, which weighs only 18 g and generates forces of up to 6.5 N. The design incorporates a folding-based prismatic joint, a three-axis force-sensing skin, inkjet-printed bending sensors, SPAs and 3D printed ring frames. B) Force-sensing skin consists of an upper layer with soft pyramid microstructures, a lower layer with four resistive pixels and a spacer separating the two layers. This design enables the detection of both normal and shear forces. C) With its multimodal sensing and actuation capabilities, OriRing renders the size and stiffness of virtual objects through kinaesthetic and proprioceptive feedback...
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Metalenses Harness AI for High-Resolution, Full-Color Imaging for Compact Optical Systems

A metalens, composed of an array of nanostructures with arbitrary rotational angles, acquires an image, which is restored to generate an output image that closely approximates the quality of the original “ground truth” image
A metalens, composed of an array of nanostructures with arbitrary rotational angles, acquires an image, which is restored to generate an output image that closely approximates the quality of the original “ground truth” image. Credit: Seo et al., doi 10.1117/1.AP.6.6.066002

Modern imaging systems, such as those used in smartphones, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) devices, are constantly evolving to become more compact, efficient, and high-performing. Traditional optical systems rely on bulky glass lenses, which have limitations like chromatic aberrations, low efficiency at multiple wavelengths, and large physical sizes. These drawbacks present challenges when designing smaller, lighter systems that still produce high-quality images.

To overcome these issues, rese...

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Machine Learning gives users ‘Superhuman’ ability to Open and Control Tools in Virtual Reality

Machine learning gives users 'superhuman' ability to open and control tools in virtual reality

Researchers have developed a virtual reality application where a range of 3D modeling tools can be opened and controlled using just the movement of a user’s hand.

The researchers, from the University of Cambridge, used machine learning to develop ‘HotGestures’—analogous to the hot keys used in many desktop applications.

HotGestures give users the ability to build figures and shapes in virtual reality without ever having to interact with a menu, helping them stay focused on a task without breaking their train of thought.

The idea of being able to open and control tools in virtual reality has been a movie trope for decades, but the researchers say that this is the first time such a ‘superhuman’ ability has been made possible...

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Testing Real Driverless Cars in a Virtual Environment

Testing real driverless cars in a virtual environment
Public road development of AV driving functions. Credit: Sensors (2023). DOI: 10.3390/s23115088

In an empty parking lot, a car ‘thinks’ it is on a real road.

Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed new software to aid in the development, evaluation and demonstration of safer autonomous, or driverless, vehicles.

Called the Vehicle-in-Virtual-Environment (VVE) method, it allows the testing of driverless cars in a perfectly safe environment, said Bilin Aksun-Guvenc, co-author of the study and a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Ohio State.

Imagine a driverless car is placed in the middle of an empty parking lot...

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