Design of a wireless tactor system for haptic feedback in virtual reality

We present recent results we have obtained in the design of a wireless tactor system for use in virtual as well as real environments. We describe a system we have designed that uses vibration motors wired to a body-worn control box, which in turn communicates with a host computer using a wireless connection. Though we have successfully integrated this system into all existing VR-based dismounted infantry Simulator, it is clear that expanding the body coverage and number of vibration points requires a solution that is completely wireless. To this end, we describe a working prototype we have built that, though still somewhat large and feature-limited, has convinced us of the merit of our approach.