Ever wanted to send that warm cozy hug to your loved one, thousands of miles away? :hearts: dissatisfied with webcams and phonecalls? :td: Fret not! Scientists from the Mixed Reality Lab of the Nanyang Technology University (NTU), Singapore are experimenting with a technology that can pave the way for more intimate communication over the internet between people separated by geographical distances. Experiements are underway for testing a new technology by way of using wireless sensor-rigged jackets, for chickens and other household pets, that can be controlled via computers and tracked via video cameras, to create a two-way communication channel between the pet and it’s owner, with the ability to transmit physical sensations from the latter to the former.
The experimental setup involves a three dimensional model of the pet, with the ability to move and react to sensations exactly like it’s live counterpart. All sensations from touching this 3-dimensional model is then carried over via the internet to the sensors on the jacket covering the body of the actual live pet, giving it similar sensations. These sensations are simulated by the sensors in the jacket through a series of vibrations. The idea is to give the pet the feeling of being touched by it’s owner.
The experiment is currently being conducted on poultry animals like chickens. Using this technological setup, chicken owners are able to remotely touch their chickens. Not only that, with the aid of special goggles, they are able to see the three dimensional image of the real chicken scampering about in it’s backyard remotely from their work desk. The technology is so advanced that people can even feel the leg movements of chickens, remotely, as they run about, by way of tingling sensations arising in their own legs, conveyed via electrical signals.
The pet chicken doll (model) moves exactly in the same way as the real chicken pet does in the backyard. The moment the doll is touched, the real chicken feels the touch in the exact same spot on its body. One can then verify this via video camera images that the chicken, which is wearing the special jacket, is feeling happy as one’s hand is moved over the body of the doll. On the other hand, the doll (model) also moves about physically, exactly replicating the movements of the real chicken. So this is more than just mere simulation ...... this is in fact not simulation but transmission of the sensation of touch (with the physical touch being encoded as a sequence of "vibrations" relayed over the net in a definite sequence ending up being felt on the "other side" as a "real touch" with the same warmth being conveyed)
Researchers claim that the next step would be to use this technology to simulate hugs between human beings across the internet :tu:
Imagine a situation where kids could wear special jackets that would allow a mother to hug them good night while she is far away on a business trip! And when you talk about lovers, the creative possibilities are immense :hehe:
hmmmm I already have a few nice lil ideas of my own
http://mixedreality.nus.edu.sg/research-TI-infor.htm
(seems like their site is down hahaha -- well I wont be surprised that the servers are getting banged with millions of requests right now)
The experimental setup involves a three dimensional model of the pet, with the ability to move and react to sensations exactly like it’s live counterpart. All sensations from touching this 3-dimensional model is then carried over via the internet to the sensors on the jacket covering the body of the actual live pet, giving it similar sensations. These sensations are simulated by the sensors in the jacket through a series of vibrations. The idea is to give the pet the feeling of being touched by it’s owner.
The experiment is currently being conducted on poultry animals like chickens. Using this technological setup, chicken owners are able to remotely touch their chickens. Not only that, with the aid of special goggles, they are able to see the three dimensional image of the real chicken scampering about in it’s backyard remotely from their work desk. The technology is so advanced that people can even feel the leg movements of chickens, remotely, as they run about, by way of tingling sensations arising in their own legs, conveyed via electrical signals.
The pet chicken doll (model) moves exactly in the same way as the real chicken pet does in the backyard. The moment the doll is touched, the real chicken feels the touch in the exact same spot on its body. One can then verify this via video camera images that the chicken, which is wearing the special jacket, is feeling happy as one’s hand is moved over the body of the doll. On the other hand, the doll (model) also moves about physically, exactly replicating the movements of the real chicken. So this is more than just mere simulation ...... this is in fact not simulation but transmission of the sensation of touch (with the physical touch being encoded as a sequence of "vibrations" relayed over the net in a definite sequence ending up being felt on the "other side" as a "real touch" with the same warmth being conveyed)
Researchers claim that the next step would be to use this technology to simulate hugs between human beings across the internet :tu:
Imagine a situation where kids could wear special jackets that would allow a mother to hug them good night while she is far away on a business trip! And when you talk about lovers, the creative possibilities are immense :hehe:
hmmmm I already have a few nice lil ideas of my own
http://mixedreality.nus.edu.sg/research-TI-infor.htm
(seems like their site is down hahaha -- well I wont be surprised that the servers are getting banged with millions of requests right now)
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