Motion Controller with Reactive Grip™ Touch Feedback

More info on Facebook, Twitter, & U. of Utah research pages below.

We have adapted our lab's tactile feedback technology to be integrated into the handle of a device and can directly provide tactile feedback to a user's hand. Our technology can be used to convey motion and force information. It does this through the motion of sliding contactor bars that are built into the handle of the device. Translational motions and forces can be portrayed along the length of the handle by moving the bars in unison in the corresponding direction; whereas moving opposing slider bars in opposite directions creates the feeling of the device's handle wrenching within the user's grasp. Because of its ability to recreate the skin sensations of actually holding an object, this type of feedback creates an engaging experience that brings gaming interactions to life, and we have hence named this feedback technology, "Reactive Grip" Tactile Shear Feedback.

This technology is compatible with motion-based controller interfaces, such as the Nintendo Wii, Sony Move, or Microsoft Kinect, and could also make a formidable pairing with a head mounted display for unprecedented levels of immersion and realism in a virtual reality gaming environment. The current game controller prototype uses a Razer Hydra as its motion tracking system, but our technology is not tracker dependent. For updates on the commercialization of this technology, check out the Tactical Haptics company, facebook, twitter, and lab pages:
https://www.facebook.com/TacticalHaptics
https://twitter.com/TacticalHaptics
http://www.tacticalhaptics.com/
http://heml.eng.utah.edu/index.php/Ha...

Also see the reactions of GDC 2013 attendees when they tried out our demo.
http://youtu.be/KZ9J436sJE0