Laptop Mag journalists tested the OWO Skin haptic suit at CES 2023, which was a “second skin” that allows you to feel a wide variety of sensations in virtual reality, including through shotgun wounds.
Image Source: OWO
According to the developers, the “second skin” will provide a fundamentally new level of immersion in the game in virtual reality. Not only uniquely unpleasant sensations such as bullets and blows are imitated, but also, for example, running through the body of insects or gusts of wind.
The new suit is supported across multiple platforms including VR, PC, Android and iOS. The Lycra skin-tight suit is equipped with numerous special elements, with a total of 10 body stimulation zones, capable of reproducing 30 sensations, including bullets, insect bites, stabbing and blunt force, and other sensations.
The model weighs 600 g, is powered by built-in batteries, and their charge is enough for 8 hours of operation. Feelings are transmitted to the costume via Bluetooth, available in sizes from 2XS to 4XL.
According to an OWO spokesperson, unlike other companies in the tactile business, whose products can only reproduce one sensation – vibration, OWO is the only company that can reproduce a literally infinite number of options through a combination of the main ones available.
Image Source: LaptopMag
For example, imitation of a wound from a gun involves the use of three “microsensations” – the hit itself, bleeding, and the formation of an exit hole. According to the developers, it is enough to “invent” a feeling, following which it will be enough to modify the parameters. The intensity can also be adjusted on a scale from 1 to 10, according to the testers, the sensations can be really painful. However, according to journalists, one of the most unpleasant was not the feeling of being stabbed with a knife, but the feelings that arise when moving on the skin of spiders.
Model OWO Skin already available for pre-order, the price of the so-called. Founder Limited Edition – €399. For the time being, only the short-sleeved version can be ordered, but a long-sleeved version is planned for the coming months.
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