Improving haptic sensation

当前的虚拟现实和增强现实系统专注于音频和视觉提示的使用。一个关键的缺失元素是触摸。Ultrahaptics开发了触觉反馈系统，该系统可以在没有笨重和不自然的可穿戴设备的情况下重现触觉。相反，我们的非接触式触觉系统使用聚焦的高强度超声波来模拟触摸的感觉。该方法利用了声辐射压力，这也被用于超声波悬浮系统。在VR应用中，该技术将与手部跟踪相结合，允许用户在不需要物理控制器的情况下与虚拟场景进行交互，同时通过触觉保持与场景的直接连接。目前，该技术可以生成单点或简单的移动路径。为了渲染VR场景的感觉，必须在真实的时间内生成更大的对象和表面，以便用户可以与它们进行交互。该项目将重写为Ultrahaptics设备提供动力的底层算法，以解决更大，更复杂的声场。这将改善VR和AR场景中物体的触觉。此外，它将大大简化对象渲染的过程，使开发人员在使用利用Ultrahaptics技术的设计应用程序时具有更大的自由度。该项目的成功将使Ultrahaptics能够更快地进入VR/AR领域，从而推动英国经济的增长。

Current virtual reality and augmented reality systems focus on the use of audio and visual cues. A key missing element is touch. Ultrahaptics has developed haptic feedback systems which recreate the sensation of touch without bulky and unnatural wearable devices. Instead, our non-contact haptic system uses focused high-intensity ultrasound to simulate a sensation of touch. This method exploits the acoustic radiation pressure, which is also used in ultrasonic levitation systems. In a VR applications, this technology will be combined with hand tracking to allow the user to interact with a virtual scene without the need for physical controllers yet retain a direct connection to the scene via the sensation of touch.Currently, the technology can generate single points or simple moving paths. In order to render sensations for VR scenes, larger objects and surfaces must be generated in real time so that the user can interact with them. This project will rewrite the underlying algorithms which power Ultrahaptics devices to solve for larger, more complex acoustic fields. This will allow improved haptic sensations of objects in VR and AR scenes. Additionally, it will greatly simplify the process by which objects are rendered allowing developers greater freedom when using the designing applications which utilise Ultrahaptics technology. The success of this project will enable Ultrahaptics to move into the VR/AR domain much more quickly and hence drive growth in the UK economy.