A group of researchers from the University of Tokyo has turned the human body into a virtual reality controller through an 'electronic skin' technology using a garment. Dubbed e-skin, it is a shirt for controlling virtual reality devices.
Researchers from the University of Tokyo present e-skin, a shirt designed to control virtual reality devices. Developed by Professor Takao Someya, e-skin provides a new intuitive and immersive way to interact with virtual, augmented, and mixed reality content, as well as a means for exercise and athletic sports. The clothing incorporates sensors and electronic components that detect the user's movement, while offering the durability and washability of a regular shirt, without the need for external cameras or other sensors, and can be worn for many hours both indoors and outdoors.
"Our vision was to revolutionize the apparel industry by creating printed circuit fabric", says James Eakin, marketing director of Xenoma, the company behind e-skin. "The e-skin line demonstrates the ability to create a series of electronic sensors integrated into traditional textile materials. This marks broad possibilities for gaming, exercise, health, and even industrial applications" The wireless shirt, which is being exhibited at the IFA 2017 fair in Berlin, allows users to move freely, stretch, and perform tasks like running and swinging.
When it comes to technical details, the shirt has fourteen sensors placed strategically in areas such as the shoulder, chest, elbows, and wrist, which allow it to capture signals from these movements and translate them into actions through a connected program. It also has an integrated e-skin Hub with a six-axis accelerometer and gyroscope. The Hub uses Bluetooth to transmit data to a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or PC, and has a Micro USB port for charging. Xenoma launched a Kickstarter campaign for e-skin in August and has so far raised more than $54,000, surpassing the initial goal. The e-skin shirts have a variable price depending on the model and available package, ranging from $479 to $959.
Official website: Xenoma
