Facebook is committed to building a metaverse. To achieve its grand vision, it will need to launch many innovative devices, controllers, and hardware.
Some of the concepts and research projects shown off by the company are fascinating.
Here is a list of what we have seen.
Haptic gloves.
In its prototype devices, gloves with feedback for virtual reality. These gloves are meant to make you feel like grabbing an object or running your hand along a surface in the virtual world.
Meta's engineers have placed new designs of soft actuators. These soft motors are all over the glove that move in concert to generate physical sensations.
Haptic gloves.
The gloves have a chip to control the flow of air. Meta says that this tech will create a sensation in your hand based on the virtual object's texture, weight, and stiffness. You will be able to feel different when you pick up a feather or metal ball in the virtual world.
The gloves are not ready for consumer release yet, as the engineers have been working on them for seven years.
The project is called Project Cambria.
A headset is a key piece of stepping into the metaverse. Facebook already has a popular product in the first iteration of the game, but it is planning on releasing a more powerful device.
The new headset will be a high-end device with a matching price tag. Reports have suggested that this might be the rumored Oculus Pro with a powerful processor, high-resolution screen, and improved hand tracking.
The firm plans to release a headset next year, according to Mark Zuckerberg. We don't have to wait long.
ReSkin.
Meta's efforts are more than just making us feel objects. It is working on making robots feel like humans.
The company collaborated with researchers from Carnegie Mellon University to develop a sensor.
ReSkin can detect forces from objects that are 1mm wide. It is an ideal material for robot hands.
A robot is trying to pick up a fruit.
Magnetic signals are used instead of an electrical connection to make this artificial skin work.
Meta said that it costs them around $6 each to produce 100 units, and that the price could get cheaper if the company mass produces it. It's easier to replace faulty patches.
Technical details about ReSkin can be found here.
Wrist-based controllers for augmented reality.
Every company wants to be a part of a future that has sleek augmented reality glasses.
You will need a controller to interact with objects in augmented reality. Meta showed off wrist-based bands that detect hand movements.
These wrist bands use electrical signals from wrist movements to translate them into commands.
The tech will detect pinching of fingers and releasing them.
The company claimed that the tech could detect signals even if your fingers moved a millimeter. That could be used to develop an algorithm that works for the movement.
For example, if you wear your augmented reality glasses, you can project a keyboard on any flat surface, and with the help of wristbands, it will be able to detect all your keystrokes. That sounds nice.
The company highlighted two prototypes in its demo. The air within the band was pneumatically controlled by eight bellows.
Tasbi has a unique wrist squeeze mechanism.
These bands were tested with different scenarios such as pressing virtual buttons or feeling the texture of different surfaces.
The company wants to give you feedback on the exercises you are doing, such as pulling a virtual arrow correctly with a virtual bow.
The project is called Project Aria.
Meta is aiming for AR supremacy, but its first concept project is rather meek. It unveiled its glasses last year.
Thanks to a report by Protocol, we got to know more about this platform. These glasses do not have a display. There is no type of action or effects for the Glass.
The project is called Project Aria.
It has our cameras and buttons for power, capture, and mute. This looks like a competitor.
What is next?
This is the only information we have about Meta's device strategy. Some gadgets, such as the Project Cambria headset, might arrive next year, but other stuff, like haptic gloves, might take a few years to hit the market.
The company dedicated $10 billion to develop metaverse hardware and software. Don't be surprised if we see more crazy prototypes soon.
