Haptics research underway so you can virtually feel fabrics

We're not really sure that there's going to be any consumer haptics devices outside the context of a video game anytime soon, but that hasn't stopped the European Union from funding the HAPTEX (HAPtic sensing of virtual TEXtiles) project. Haptics, of course, is the study of touch sensory feedback, and scientists at the University of Geneva are currently working on a project that will incorporate touch into your online shopping. So let's say that you're looking online to buy pants, but you're not sure if you want corduroys or jeans -- in case you didn't know what those materials felt like, you'd touch a device that would allow you to feel the various textures. The project is due to end exactly one year from now, so that's when we'll find out if the €1.66 million ($2.11 million) that EU taxpayers shelled out was really worth it -- and what devices, if any, will come to fruition.

[Mitchell @ Nov 4th 2006 9:30AM]

One step closer to virtual sex.

[Jason @ Nov 4th 2006 9:34AM]

Haha! I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that.

[EdZ @ Nov 4th 2006 10:04AM]

I thought that image looked familiar. The Haptics Lab in the Reading University Cybernetics department has one of those machines (minus the tactile ends). It looks unwieldy, but in practice it's amazingly effective.

[wes @ Nov 4th 2006 11:27AM]

isn't it sad that the first thing that comes to our mind is better virtual sex? are we all nerds or what? *g*
okay dumb question ^^

[Alex @ Nov 4th 2006 11:33AM]

hell yea ...virtual sex .... but what if theres a virus and it feels like you're doin it with a cactus .... damn, i really need an anitvirus

[bnet504 @ Nov 4th 2006 1:09PM]

I'd rather have virtual smells.

[Eric J. White @ Nov 6th 2006 3:48AM]

Sorry folks,
We've already done the "Virtual Sex" thing....years ago while these guys were just thinking about it.
Virtual Sex Machine dot com.
(Warning, sexually explicit)

[U. B. @ Nov 8th 2006 11:28AM]

The HAPTEX project is more on analyzing and understanding the real hardware/software requirements and challenges of haptic technology rather than for actually producing haptic devices. It's about fundamental research on haptics and how to achieve multisensory integration within immersive haptic simulation systems (incl. physical simulation of realistic 3D deformable objects, force-feedback and tactile rendering, efficient and stable synchronization of multiple threads, etc.) not on its application and mass-market distribution....The online shopping issue is just a simple showcase, as the focus of the project is purely research. BTW, companies on haptics are going to introduce low-cost haptic devices for the entertainment sector in the next years...just have a look at the Novint Falcon!

[U. B. @ Nov 8th 2006 11:04AM]

The HAPTEX project is more on analyzing and understanding the real hardware/software requirements and challenges of haptic technology rather than for actually producing haptic devices. It's about fundamental research on haptics and how to achieve multisensory integration within immersive haptic simulation systems (incl. physical simulation of realistic 3D deformable objects, force-feedback and tactile rendering, efficient and stable synchronization of multiple threads, etc.) not on its application and mass-market distribution....The online shopping issue is just a simple showcase, as the focus of the project is purely research. BTW, companies on haptics are going to introduce low-cost haptic devices for the entertainment sector in the next years...just have a look at the Novint Falcon!