WeATaViX: Wearable Actuated Tangibles for Virtual Reality Experiences

Abstract : This demo presents the WeATaViX: a wearable haptic interface for natural manipulation of tangible objects in Virtual Reality (VR). The device uses an interaction concept between encounter-type and tangible haptics, bringing a tangible object in and out of contact with a user's palm, allowing rendering of making and breaking of contact with virtual objects, as well as grasping and manipulation. The demo places the user in a virtual orchard in which they can experience the availability of tangible counterparts to any grasped interactible object in the virtual environment, as they pick and place apples, play fetch with a virtual dog and his ball, and even actuate the virtual handle of a juice machine preparing fresh virtual organic apple juice.