This Tactile Gaming Vest isn’t the first force feedback vest that we’ve encountered, and hopefully it won’t be the last. This one was created at the University of Pennsylvania, and is designed to let its wearer feel a punch or gunfire hit in sync with what’s happening on screen. Aside from enhancing the game, and immersing you in the game, it’ll also provide a good incentive for you to improve and obviously not get hit in the game. The vest can also be modified for real time simulation and training by the military, so it does have another market aside from gamers. The vest uses four solenoid actuators in the chest and shoulders in front, and two solenoids in the back. Vibrating motors clustered against the shoulder blades simulate a reaction similar to getting stabbed. The experience is apparently close to a paintball excursion, but doesn’t hurt as much (fortunately).
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