The company behind a multi-point, midair haptic feedback system using ultrasound to add sensation to holographic representation has just received a round of seed funding toward further development of their futuristic responsive interface design.

Like something straight out of Star Trek (or Iron Man or Minority Report), the ‘haptic holograms’ of UltraHaptics use sound waves to create highly-localized pressure on the skin, which, coupled with a visual display, gives physical feedback and resistance.

In principle, we are already used to ‘feeling’ sound when it comes through loud speakers at a concert or movie, but this represents a much more focused version of that same phenomena, applied to virtual and augmented reality.

Potential applications abound, from immersive gaming to interactive virtual medical examinations – haptic feedback is also only one side of the equation: picture a holographic controller that responds to your movements as well as resisting them in realtime, letting you know the action has been acknowledged. New funding will help the company pursue further prototypes, improving precision and computing power along the way.

More on how it works: “Professor Sriram Subramanian, who co-developed the haptic technology at the University of Bristol’s Computer Science Department, explained that their device applies the principles of acoustic radiation force, whereby sound waves produce forces on the skin which are strong enough to generate tactile sensations. One of the advantages of having a touchless system is that the interaction comes to you; instead of going and touching the light switch, you just wave your hand and the light comes on. And this is going to be ubiquitous, and as it becomes ubiquitous people are going to need this kind of tactile feedback.”

The post Real-Life Holodeck: 3D Holograms You Can Touch & Feel first appeared on Gajitz.

Mention the words “sports bra” to a group of women and you’re likely to see some grimaces. That’s largely because it’s damn near impossible to find one that doesn’t either squeeze too tightly or allow for too much movement. The latter is annoying at best and pretty painful at worst. Thankfully, science has been working on this problem for longer than we would have thought. Professors at the University of Wollongong in Australia are working on a “bionic” bra that will adjust its tightness automatically based on the wearer’s movement.

According to the researchers working on the project, up to 85 percent of women wearing bras that either do not fit correctly or do not provide adequate support. They envisioned a solution years ago, but technology is just now catching up to their vision of smart yarn that can tighten or loosen in response to movement. Their current work uses new sensing technologies and actuators to “feel” the movement of the breasts and provide proper support.

The bra would be looser in response to a resting state and more supportive when activity is detected – say, when the wearer starts jogging. This innovation would mean there’s no need to change bras before and after a workout (a reasonably not-sweaty one, anyway) or to worry about breast pain when running to catch a bus. The researchers say we’re still several years away from being able to buy bionic bras, but they’re confident – and we have to agree – that when it’s finally ready to be sold and worn, it will change bra wearing forever.

The post Sewing the Dream: Bra Adjusts Support Based on Activity first appeared on Gajitz.