Always wanted to feel jumps in virtual reality? If so, then you’re in luck, as a team of University of Chicago researchers, led by Pedro Lopes, have developed JumpMod, a haptic backpack that modifies the user’s perceived jump. Currently, VR users simply press a button to jump, but this wearable device actually simulates the sensation of being pulled up or down by moving a weight along their back.
This 4.4 lb (2.2 kg) weight creates the sensation of acceleration or deceleration when jumping. The device is able to render five effects: jump higher, land harder / softer, and pulled higher / lower. Some may be wondering why you’d want to simulate being pulled higher and the answer would be when an object (bird, plane, glider, etc.) is lifting the player off the ground. It will be demonstrated at the Human Factors in Computing Systems conference in Hamburg, Germany on Apr
- Get two bonus games when you buy Meta Quest 2. Ends 06/03/23. Upon Activation, you will receive a notification message via email, in your mobile app,...
- Meta Quest is for ages 13+. Certain apps, games and experiences may be suitable for a more mature audience.
- Keep your experience smooth and seamless, even as high speed action unfolds around you with a super-fast processor and high-resolution display.
Unlike existing approaches (e.g., wearing or holding large propellers to gain vertical momentum, or sitting or standing on grounded motion platforms), JumpMod modifies the user’s perceived jump using its small form factor, small enough that it is worn as a backpack—it is completely untethered, users can walk around freely and do not need to hold any handles to experience its haptic effects,” said the researchers.
