Finalist: Connecting
Interaction Awards 2023
Can Metaverse today replace reality? As the global COVID-19 pandemic distanced humans from each other, an expedition for new ways of communication began to rise. The concept of ‘Metaverse’ became widespread as a solution. However, VR interaction methods developed so far are biased toward audiovisual aspects. There should be more elements to reproduce for actual communication. Considering the early concept of VR suggested in Stanley Weinbaum’s 1935 SF novel <Pygmalion Glasses>, which included vision, hearing, touch, heat, and smell, humanity is still half as successful.
Our project Everwhite is a multi-user VR sports content that utilizes our own thermo-tactile haptic feedback device. Everwhite was conducted with the aim of discovering the sense that existing VR interactions lacked and enabling better communication. Traditional VR games require installation costs and space, and are monotonous because they don’t have haptic elements.
Through this project, we have provided a variety of senses through our own interfaces, such as contact between people, touching cold snowballs, avoiding them, and being hit. These colorful sensory experiences extend the realm of interacting with the other person, even within the virtual space.
Traditional products that used thermo-tactile haptic feedback gloves have failed to apply realistic thermal and feedback formats. Everwhite uses temperature sensors to detect the actual body temperature of the user’s hand and matches it to the virtual temperature. This virtual temperature is controlled by realistic thermodynamic model to help experience unique thermal property of each object. Through user evaluations, we have confirmed our system improved overall immersion in virtual experiences.
