Bristol/England: “AFFECTED: The Visit“ – Virtual Reality Meets Simulation Through Haptic Feedback

What was previously only possible in science fiction films has now become a reality in virtual worlds – the haptic touching of virtual objects in the air. Until the end of February visitors can still try out “AFFECTED: The Visit”, a new, immersive VR experience in Bristol, England. The temporary installation is the result of a collaboration between the three British companies Ultrahaptics, Fallen Planet Studio and ImmotionVR and a new adaption of Fallen Planet’s VR horror game “AFFECTED: The Manor”. The new VR experience can currently be found in a VR experience centre initiated by the Immotion Group under the ImmotionVR brand (cf. EAP news f. 10 Sept 2018) in Bristol’s Cabot Circus shopping center. In this temporary installation, players enter a virtual haunted house in which numerous surprises await the guests. Thanks to a newly developed technology from Ultrahaptics, players can touch elements that seem to float freely in space without wearing (except from the VR headset) or touching anything.

And this is how it works: ultrasound waves, which are deliberately placed in the room, release slight vibrations, which in turn can be felt on the skin of the fingers – through haptic feedback simulation. In this way, it is possible to feel certain structures that are not physically there. While the attraction had previously only been shown at trade shows in the US, it can now be experienced in the UK for the first time. (eap)