Japanese researchers explore non-contact technology to bring "cold" tactile experience to VR users

(Nweon October 24, 2023) Researchers composed of Japan's University of Tsukuba, Tokyo Institute of Technology and Nara Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have invented a non-contact device that can simulate the feeling of cold in virtual reality technology.

By combining cold air flow and light, the invention is able to create a "cold" feeling without actual temperature changes. If implemented correctly, this new approach will greatly enhance the immersion of XR users.

Our skin plays a key role in sensing temperature and surrounding environment. Thermal sensation is critical for enhancing our understanding of the world and enhancing our ability to interact with it. However, repeated exposure to the same stimulus can cause us to become accustomed to the stimulus, making it difficult to perceive new sensations. This process is called "temperature adaptation," and it interferes with our ability to measure temperature changes when switching scenes in a VR environment.

So, the development of thermal sensation rendering technology has great potential and can provide a new interactive method.

Traditional techniques usually leave residual heat in the system or skin, affecting subsequent presentation. The research by a team from the University of Tsukuba, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and Nara Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Japan focused on presenting thermal sensations with low waste heat, especially cold sensations.

In order to mitigate the impact of waste heat in the system, the researchers chose a non-contact method and solved the impact of waste heat on the skin, which can present thermal sensations, such as a "cold" feeling, without significantly changing the skin temperature.

Specifically, the team integrated two highly responsive and independent heat transfer mechanisms: cold air convection and visible light radiation to provide non-contact thermal stimulation. By rapidly alternating between perceptible temperature drops and imperceptible temperature increases in the same skin area, the system maintains a near-constant skin temperature while presenting a persistent cold sensation.

In an experiment involving 15 subjects, when the cooling rate was −0.2 to −0.24°C/s and the cooling time ratio was 30 to 50%, more than 86.67% of the participants felt a continuous “cold feeling” ".

Evaluation results show that the system can provide a virtual cold sensation without any actual skin temperature changes and has successfully replicated a cold sensation of the same intensity as sustained skin temperature changes.

Related papers: Integration of Independent Heat Transfer Mechanisms for Non-Contact Cold Sensation Presentation with Low Residual Heat

This breakthrough technology provides a new possibility for simulating skin sensations without changing the body's state, and is expected to serve the metaverse and help XR greatly improve immersion.

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