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wp953
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October 5, 2014

REAL haptics using magnetic levitation?

There are plenty of 6 degrees of freedom input controllers out there but very few with real force feedback. For example if I try to push my virtual hand into a wall, it might get stopped in the virtual world but my controller in the real world will just keep going forward.

When trying to figure out what the state of the art is in this area I only found linkage based solutions. Most of them require you to grab the end of a robotic arm that knows how to apply the correct directional normal force back so you can feel the wall stopping you: https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=6dof+haptic

Then I stumbled upon this which is based on magnetic levitation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isu7r3Ywqp0.

I thought it was a clever approach since there are very few things that can apply a force to something in midair (although it looks like it only has a very tiny volume of space that it could work in). What was cool about it was that it claims to have 5 to 10 micron of positional sensitivity so it can even simulate texture! (e.g., smooth or rough)

I just thought that was cool and wanted to share it. Since the video was from over 7 years ago, is there anyone working on extending this technology to be used in a larger volume? I mean stuff like this exists: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gMMM62NC-4

    7 replies

    saviornt
    Up and Coming
    October 6, 2014
    I thought of using a variable electromagnet to simulate haptics, however, the main issue is that it would need to get absurdly powerful. That is the crux. It would, at best, interfere with computer components. At worst, it would erase your HDD(S).
    Current WIPs using Unreal Engine 4: Agrona - Tales of an Era : Medieval Fantasy MORPG
    AlphaWolF
    Participant
    October 7, 2014
    I keep getting all these crazy ideas lately for solving the VR's biggest hurdles Like Optical wifi oculus and Motion controllers,
    Omni treadmills .
    But This was actually one of the ideas I had and I think its the Holy grail of omni directional treadmills .

    My idea was having magnetic VR shoes and walking ontop of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic plate similar to this one but larger. ofc you would need to be stabilized by a belt harness similar to the OMNI.
    But you would end up with a zero friction walking experience that could simulate different kind of terrains (possibly)
    Just not sure of the power requirements!.
    But a plate also fixed to a wall in front of the user could simulate geometry with magnetic gloves

    the only issue I could see would be both the power required to levitate the weight of a person and the magnetic field
    not erasing the data on chips
    http://alphawolf-uk.deviantart.com/ https://twitter.com/AlphaWolF_UK http://steamcommunity.com/id/j_alphawolf_76/ https://www.youtube.com/user/AlphaWoIFuk/videos http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/9198/ ?
    Jason1410992
    Inspiring
    October 9, 2014
    I was playing with my own idea of a wired up rig for haptic gloves. Unfortunately, I'm not that crafty to design a prototype, nor do I think it would work well. I would still like to see someone try. :D
    ( viewtopic.php?f=24&t=12809 )
    DieKatzchen
    Up and Coming
    October 9, 2014
    There's also the fact that a maglev field strong enough to support you would require the removal of jewelry, and people with, say, a metal pin in their leg would be unable to enjoy it at all.
    Palmer on the openness of the Rift: http://www.reddit.com/r/oculus/comments/21cy9n/the_future_of_vr/cgc06b2?context=3 All of Palmer's Reddit posts: http://www.reddit.com/user/palmerluckey
    flaw
    Up and Coming
    October 9, 2014
    i think it sounds like a good concept and a good idea but it is ultimately un-practical for a number of reasons.
    get your game on ....
    owenwp
    Up and Coming
    October 10, 2014
    A magnetic field strong enough to affect you would apply similar force to any other conductor in your environment. Better not leave any scissors lying around.
    Ascensi
    Up and Coming
    August 22, 2015
    I had a vision of this a couple days ago but someone beat me to i here it seems. I thought about combining the ultrasound technology for more tactile feedback such as gravel but use the electromagnet portion to shape the field on the treadmill as mirror of the terrain in-game and introduce changes like slope and uneven ground -this is what I envisioned.

    Monorail trains seem to keep their intense magnet field local, I think fields can be directed/steered where you place your foot. Some people have Pacemakers, digital watches, ipods etc and can ride the Monorails with no problem.

    Anyone discouraging this idea to others may be currently trying to implement it as their own product ;)
    Next on the list: http://www.ascensionseries.com
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