Haptic Ring Conveys Weight, Stiffness of Virtual Objects

A haptic ring developed by researchers at South Korea's Sungkyunkwan University and the Swiss Federal Technology Institute Lausanne lets users feel the weight, size, and stiffness of virtual objects they touch in virtual reality (VR). Using a 3-axis force sensor with micro-pyramid structures, the OriRing device precisely detects multi-directional forces and delivers realistic tactile feedback. The researchers said the lightweight technology outperforms bulkier glove-based systems and could be applied beyond gaming to rehabilitation, medical uses, and remote robotic control.