So, this cool full-body VR suit can move based on electric signals sent to it or record how the wearer moves.
In the future, you might actually “feel” what’s happening in the metaverse!
A group of eight mechanical engineering students from ETH Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, are working on this special suit. It covers your whole body and is meant to make your time in the metaverse even more awesome.
The VR suit has lots of sensors and soft muscles that feel like the real deal. This means you can interact with virtual reality in a much more natural way.
Maximilan Eberlein, who heads the project at ETH Zurich, explains that the Meta Suit is essentially a suit equipped with artificial muscles, allowing for deeper engagement with virtual reality.
He elaborates, “Our main aim was to integrate innovative artificial muscles called Hasel [hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic actuators] into a suit, enhancing interaction with virtual reality.”
The team relies heavily on the groundbreaking Hasel technology. These artificial muscles mimic human muscles, providing haptic feedback to the suit wearer, and enhancing the sensation of “feeling” the virtual environment.
How does a VR Suit work?
The Meta Suit operates using a simple yet effective mechanism: its artificial muscles contract and expand when a small electric current passes through them, similar to how a zip-lock bag works.
Eberlein explains further, “You’ve got these pouches filled with a special fluid, and when you apply a voltage to the electrodes sprayed on them, the muscles contract as the pouches zip together.”
Additionally, the Meta Suit boasts a unique capability called “proprioception,” which allows it to track and map human movements without relying on cameras.
Eberlein points out that most VR systems today heavily depend on visual cues, which can be costly and less reliable in dimly lit environments. The team at ETH Zurich aims to overcome these challenges and enhance the current technology.
During testing, the team crafted a virtual reality scenario where players could experience the sensation of a bird landing on their hand, thanks to the muscles contracting in the suit.
Eberlein shares his excitement, saying, “It’s incredible. When we first tried our technology, we couldn’t help but laugh because it was such an amazing sensation, unlike anything we’ve felt before. You’re transported to a completely different world. You could be on Mars and still feel something as if it’s real.”
The creators believe the Meta Suit holds promise for applications beyond VR. They envision its potential use in motion tracking for movies and animations, as well as aiding in addressing “frozen gait,” a symptom of Parkinson’s where patients require external prompts to initiate movement.
