Project description
Haptic feedback simulating touch for augmented and virtual reality applications
Virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) headsets are now accessible to the public. These devices offer numerous applications, ranging from gaming to virtual training, showcasing the potential of extended reality (XR) technology. Haptic perception, which plays a crucial role in how humans experience the world, must be fully integrated into visual technology to fully immerse users in XR. Funded by the European Research Council, the FEEL-XR project aims to develop components for feel-through tactile feedback in XR. This technology will dynamically enhance and modify the haptic sensations of real-world objects, surfaces, and the human body. Building upon the ERC Starting Grant InteractiveSkin, the technology will be enabled using computational design and rapid manufacturing of stretchable electronics.
Objective
Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR and AR), often summarized as Extended Reality (XR), is moving from a niche product to a mainstream market. Due to recent advances in wearable sensing and display technologies, powerful VR and AR headsets are commercially available, even for the general public, and promise to become even more miniaturized and cheaper in the coming years. A myriad of important application cases, ranging from gaming or shopping to immersive design and engineering or to tele-surgery and virtual training, demonstrate the large innovation potential of XR. However, today’s technologies and applications for XR predominantly focus on the visual channel alone. In contrast, rendering the haptic feel of objects in XR is still mostly unaddressed, although it is common knowledge that haptic perception is an essential part of how humans experience the world, hence important for realism and immersion. This project sets out to mature the crucial components needed for feel-through tactile feedback in XR that can dynamically augment and alter the haptic feel of real-world objects, surfaces, and the human body. Our technology originates from the applicant’s ERC Starting Grant InteractiveSkin, where we developed the foundations for a new generation of body-worn user interfaces, which we call interactive skin. Our approach is unique in proposing computational design and rapid manufacturing of stretchable electronics as a means to customize on-body interfaces. FEEL-XR will enable tactile augmentation of the human body through a less than 35 μm thin tactile interface for wearable computing, which retains the natural tactile acuity (similar to bare skin) while delivering high-density tactile output, suitable for applications in tactile XR and on-skin interaction. As there are no moving parts, we can expect our technology to be built much cheaper than current solutions that rely on motors or pneumatics, at the same time being better suited for battery-powered usages.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-POC2
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
66123 Saarbrucken
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.