Researchers have made a haptic sonar glove called IrukaTact that has been inspired by dolphins. The sonar glove lets a user feel distant underwater objects without touching them.
Postdoctoral candidates Takeshi Oozu and Aisen Caro Chacin of the Empowerment Informatics program at Tsukuba University in Japan, explain that their invention will let underwater divers to feel things they cannot reach.
In Japanese, iruka means dolphin, which is the inspiration for the glove. Using a technique called echolocation, the sea mammal can track underwater objects by sending sound waves then feeling them bounce back. IrukaTact also uses echolocation for detecting objects under the water.
"Our overall goal was to expand haptics," says Chacin. "How can you feel different textures or sense depth without actually touching the object? Vibration alone doesn't cut it for me, or most people, for that matter."
The glove incorporates a wrist-mounted sonar device and it uses echolocation in pinpointing submerged objects. The location of underwater objects detected can then be mapped by the glove.
Currently, the IrukaTact can send and receive signals from up to 2 feet of an underwater object. However, researchers believe that there is potential of increasing this range in the near term.
The IrukaTact identifies the topography of flooded areas with an ultrasonic range and senses haptic signals received by the wearer of the glove.
"These signals are produced by micropumps which propel water jets onto each digit. The strength of the jets is dependent on the proximity to the object that the wearer is hovering over; the closer the object is to the wearer's hand, the more pressure they will feel on their fingertips. The glove's haptic feedback system extends current haptic technologies by providing hybrid actuation including pressure/vibration with limited restriction to the wearer's natural movement," says Chacin.
Virtual reality is one of the next big things in the technology industry. In 2016, companies are already set to launch their own versions of VR headsets, such as Samsung's Gear, Oculus' Rift, Sony's PlayStation VR and HTC's Vive. These VR headsets are eagerly awaited in the games and video industry.
The technology used in IrukaTact will be important in emergency situations such as floods, and also helpful to divers in finding sunken objects. However, the technology behind IrukaTact has many other benefits as well, which can be utilized in other fields also.
The glove can be paired with VR headsets and be used for providing a more complete haptic feedback.
Check out a short video demonstration of how the IrukaTact works.
