Human touch is the most intuitive way to communicate, but recreating it perfectly without being bulky was challenging for engineers. Haptiknit, a flexible sleeve designed to give touch-based feedback (haptic feedback) to its users, is a next step towards this goal. This device can make virtual reality more real, help in physical rehabilitation, and allow communication through touch.
What is special about Haptiknit is its use of inflatable pouches inside the sleeve to give pressure-based feedback, creating more realistic sensations. The sleeve is made of knit fabric that is soft, comfortable, and flexible; this makes the pouches light and eliminates the need for an exoskeleton.
The researchers in Stanford Engineering have used fabrics that are soft and flexible for comfort and movement, and these fabrics get stiff in certain areas to give it the hold and pressure to secure the pouches against the skin.
The inflating and deflating of pouches is done by the battery-powered pneumatic system with pressure actuators, which are 3D printed and are small in size; these are easily integrated into the pouches to give the touch sensation while stimulated mechanically. The actuators are powered by a customized version of FlowIO, called AirPort 1.0, enabling precise and reliable working of the sleeve.
The researchers have tested these touch sensors for their feedback and found the wireless system allows the precise control of the touch points while staying lightweight and flexible.
Haptiknit sleeves can be used in a variety of applications, including virtual reality, to enhance physical sensations in games. And these can be game changers in rehabilitation facilities, as they can be used to provide touch cues during therapy sessions.
