Last month, haptics technology company Ultrahaptics announced the STRATOS platform, designed to create advanced touch-based sensations in mid-air. Now it’s launching STRATOS Explore, the first development kit based on the platform.
With STRATOS Explore tech companies and developers can begin experimenting with haptics as a new way for users to interface with their products, whether that’s for virtual reality (VR), 3D gesture interfaces or advanced automotive controls.
Ultrahaptics’ core mid-air haptic technology creates the sense of touch in mid-air by using arrays of ultrasonic transducers to project haptic feedback directly onto users’ hands. Through the emission of ultrasound waves developers can manipulate them so that the combined pressure of the waves interacting produces a force that can be felt. Due to the device’s close arrangement of arrays multiple pressure points can be created, so that the user can feel 3D shapes, buttons, sliders and virtual objects in thin air.
“The STRATOS Explore development kit is the best solution for customers who want to explore how mid-air haptics can enhance their products. We can now offer an off-the-shelf development kit based on our most advanced platform,” said David Hearne, VP Sales. “Whether customers are looking to create cutting-edge, cleaner and safer user interfaces, or to design immersive experiences in which users can reach out and touch 3D digital media, we now have the perfect tool for them to start innovating with.”
Available to purchase now through Ultrahaptics distribution network, the STRATOS Explore doesn’t come cheap with it listed on Arrow.com for $5,000 USD. The kit includes:
- 16×16 transducer array (Murate transducers), control board and frame structure
- Leap Motion camera module for hand tracking and gesture recognition
- 5 frame mounted cover materials (2 metal, 3 acoustic fabric)
- Software Development Kit with Time Point Streaming, supporting C#, C++ API and Unity integration
- Support for Windows, OSX and Linux based platforms
- Sensation Editor tool to assist with customisation and and development of sensations
- Mid-air haptics demonstration suite
- Multi-region (US/UK/EU) power supply and USB cables
For further updates from Ultrahaptics, keep reading VRFocus.
via Mint VR