14 DAY TRIAL // Game controllers usually follow a certain design theme, even if they're made for different consoles from different manufacturers. Tactical Haptics has invented a clear exception to that so-called rule though.
Tactical Haptics is a company belonging to Dr. William Provancher from the University of Utah. This company has put to use a certain technology called “Reactive Grip.”
More specifically, Tactical Haptics has posted a project on Kickstarter, the well-known crowd-funded project launching platform.
Said project is for a game controller that provides a new level of interaction with the objects in a virtual reality.
As the name of the technology implies, the controller allows you to “grab” things, and provides a fairly accurate tactical feedback.
And that is actually surprising because the concept behind the idea is really pretty simple: all it does is move four sliding plates up and down the grip underneath the hand.
When they all move in the same direction, it makes it seem as though the “object” has real weight, as if resisting your motions.
So far, demos included actions from normal grabs to swinging virtual weapons (swords, maces), firing virtual guns and playing with slingshots.
One can only imagine what an invention like this will lead to when combined with, say, something along the lines of Kinect.
So far, Tactical Haptics has received funds from the US National Science Foundation, so the project should get off the ground no matter what happens, but Dr. William Provancher felt that Kickstarter would help too, both with raising more money and actually letting the world know about the game controller.
The funding goal is of $175,000 / €130,000, and development kits will reach all those who pledge at last $179 / €132. Owners of Unity and the Oculus Rift will be glad to know that the Reactive Grip is compatible with them. Check out the video below for an introduction.
