UNIST: VR gloves

2021: Announcement of VR gloves "sensing" vibration and heat

On September 27, 2021, the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) announced that it had developed the world's first virtual reality gloves in which heat, vibration and motion control are integrated all together.

The device monitors the tilt angles of the two joints on each of the fingers in real time and reflects changes on the display. In addition, gloves can sense subtle vibrations and temperature. This technology is used to narrow the gap between the virtual and real world, offering sensations that correspond to visual information. Otherwise, the VR user experience is mostly contactless, without physical feedback.

Presented the world's first VR gloves that "feel" vibration and heat

Although VR and augmented reality (AR) technologies are used for remote control of heavy equipment and other devices, it is difficult for workers to accurately control large machines because they do not feel vibrations and physical feedback. Some workers prefer to control the equipment from the cabin, where they can sense the condition of the equipment through their body. A person in gloves made from 3D printing liquid metal can feel a temperature difference when touching various materials, including metal and wood in a virtual world.

If the user takes an object in hot water, a sharp change in temperature will be realistically transmitted through the gloves. These VR gloves will be an innovative interface in the VR and AR industries, said UNIST Professor Pe Joon-bum.

To ensure the simultaneous performance of three functions without any interference, Professor Pe Joon-bum used liquid metal printing technology. Sensors, heaters and electrical wires were drawn with high precision using this technology. The gloves are also equipped with high-performance flexible sensors that can monitor and monitor finger movements. Detected hand movements will be accurately recreated in the digital world to move or touch objects.

According to the developers, funds for the commercial production of the product have already been found, and the first samples of the device have already been sent to customers.^[1]

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