Medical force feedback vest tweaked for gaming

Over at the E for All Expo, doctor Mark Ombrellaro is demonstrating a medical feedback vest altered so that it works with video games. When an in-game character gets hit or shot, the gamer wearing the vest feels "pneumatic thumps" to their torso. Originally designed for remote medical inspections for prisoners and the elderly, the "3rd Space" vest will cost $189 when it launches in November, and will include an unspecified version of Call of Duty, along with a custom title. TN Games, the company that is suiting up the vest for gamers, plans on launching a version of the vest to simulate G-Forces for flight sims and racers later on next year.

[kojo87 @ Oct 20th 2007 4:44PM]

please tell me it comes in colors other than pink. like black or camo

[Wwhat @ Oct 21st 2007 1:34AM]

So, if you wear pink it becomes hard to tell you are a guy? or what's the deal.

[kojo87 @ Oct 21st 2007 1:04PM]

im just sayin i find it odd that a feedback vest targeted at the utmost of hardcore gamers and bundled with a war game like Call of Duty would come in pink. i think you knew what i was getting at.

[Ten Dolla Bill @ Oct 22nd 2007 9:31AM]

Jessica Chobot... yum...

[Rik @ Oct 20th 2007 4:48PM]

A while ago I wore a Moven suit (39.000 euro a pop those babies...), it worked quite well and I'd like to see one of those adjusted for gaming! :-D

http://www.moven.com/

[BonBon @ Oct 20th 2007 4:55PM]

Dare I say, $189 seems a fair price for a major peice of kit like that. I'd only wory that games require 'TN Support' rather than the suit not picking up on general force feedback, like that sent to pc pads with rumble.

[swmarc @ Oct 20th 2007 5:04PM]

wow, that actually inst that bad of a price. Just hope game companies support it. Although I would like to see some normal colors not sure I would wear it if it was bright pink or camo. A color scheme like black, brown or gray wold be nice.

[segura @ Oct 20th 2007 5:20PM]

I wouldn't mind some force feedback on that girl showing off the vest.

[SJ @ Oct 20th 2007 5:21PM]

Is that Jessica Chobot of IGN fame? I'd like to provide "force feedback" to her all day long...

Oh god that was awful. Sorry guys.

[Musketeer @ Oct 20th 2007 10:55PM]

Wow. She's pretty much the dictionary definition of "my type". Had never heard of her until now.

[SJ @ Oct 20th 2007 5:24PM]

Ok I see segura has already made the awful joke...

In any case, this is a cool idea, but how do you determine where the force comes from? Unless you have some elaborate hit system in your game it would be kinda hard to do that.

This will really come in handy when using the Wiimote for games which involve steering, since the lack of g-forces makes people oversteer often.

[Twitchy @ Oct 21st 2007 6:49AM]

Games already calculate where you are hit - otherwise it wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a leg-shot and headshot (add obligatory *BOOM* if necessary). It wouldjust need that a) the differentiation areas are better defined, and b) that this information is relayed to the vest, not just for the PC do calculate damage.

[Sean @ Oct 20th 2007 5:53PM]

This in fs would be awesome. Hope it actually gets supported.

[DickHardknocks @ Oct 20th 2007 7:27PM]

I wanna see a connection to your controller that electrifies you when you get injured in the game - similar to that James Bond movie.

You get hit with a Gravity Hammer - ZAAAAAAP !

You get hit with plasma beams ---ZAP ZAP ZAP

This vest just isn't enough for me. I play paintball for the pain goddamnit.

[Akiosarin @ Oct 20th 2007 9:13PM]

so you run around WANTING to be shot?

"hey guys, shoot me! thats right, on the ass baby!" yeah....that would probably make people leave..

[Andir3.0 @ Oct 21st 2007 5:08PM]

People leave... you win!!

[edward @ Oct 22nd 2007 5:18AM]

lol yeah would be great if you got some real force when getting hit and not just a little rumble

[DorianGray @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:13AM]

Dude, Dick, I was *TOTALLY* counting on you to say something about Chobot!!! You let me down, bro.

Anyway, I agree, paintball is for the pain -- espec. for the *other* guy! My squad is farkin ruthless. No surrenders offered or accepted. You fellas afraid of a little pain, do a pushup or two.

The electric jolt needs to be enough to *almost* leave a mark (otherwise, low Wifey-Acceptability-Factor).

[DarkLeaper @ Oct 20th 2007 9:26PM]

Too bad the only thing holding Chobot's face together is her makeup and photoshop. She's over 30 fellas. IGN's put more money into her face than a George Lucas special effects budget.

[JDizzle @ Oct 20th 2007 10:27PM]

Tru Dat.

[jbcaro @ Oct 21st 2007 1:01AM]

Ain't nut'in wrong with 30+. They could probably teach you a thing or three.

[AJ @ Oct 21st 2007 1:07AM]

You guys are merciless, LOL! $hit, I'd hit it.

[mattclarkie @ Oct 21st 2007 6:01AM]

Looks like Lucy Lawless crossed with Jewel Staite. Decide for your self if that is a good or bad thing.

[Musketeer @ Oct 21st 2007 7:43AM]

I reckon she looks a bit like Shannon Doherty.

[Jack @ Oct 22nd 2007 4:51AM]

Its a trap!

[Carl M @ Oct 21st 2007 3:36AM]

If only we could somehow reach out and smack the stupid people across the net, think of how many problems we could solve!

Maybe this suit is a step in the right direction.

[luzzio @ Oct 21st 2007 11:26AM]

can you guys imagine the lawsuit possibilities?

"man gets too much force feedback on chest and dies of heart attack."

[NotAgOat @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:56AM]

This is totally sick. I used to use one of those logitech mice that would vibrate when you shot your guns. Using the mouse combined with that vest, and perhaps some of those force feedback headphones (never used them) would be the ultimate gaming experience.

[SpaceMarine @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:03AM]

i think this thin is AWESOME!!! like once they release full body suits its almost to virtual reality! but not quite i would soooo get this and other products! plus i would love the bruises TO THE PAIN!!

[SpaceMarine @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:07AM]

o and to all u guys btchin bout the colors..yes they will make other colors geez

[Ryan @ Oct 23rd 2007 4:36AM]

That's Jessica Chobot

[geekgrl @ Oct 28th 2007 1:34PM]

Seattle/Tacoma people interested in trying this out: as of Thurs. Nov. 1 you can demo this for yourselves at Northgate and Tacoma area malls!

[SpaceMarine @ Oct 30th 2007 7:22PM]

omg sweet cept im in CALI GRRRRRR!!!!

[geekgrl @ Oct 31st 2007 12:44AM]

So sorry honey! I'm from Cali :)
We will be at the CES in Vegas in January. Come play then!