It is no longer surprising to envision that the sense of touch could be digitally transferred in the near future, especially with the significant advancements in technology that have been observed recently.
Achieving this possibility could lead to major transformations in the realm of remote surgery, and it might also pave the way for a new dimension in online gaming.
Coming soon!
According to a research paper published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards association last June, researchers have created a standard known as “Hands-Free Coding for the Touch Internet (HCTI).
This standard enables tactile information to be transmitted in both directions over the Internet, utilizing small data packets that demand minimal bandwidth.
Currently, to transmit tactile feedback remotely—such as controlling a robotic arm at an engineering site—it is necessary to send data packets in both directions 4,000 times per second.
Although this technique enhances the realism of feedback, it places a considerable strain on the network responsible for transmitting the data packets. Eckhard Steinbach, the lead author of the paper and a professor of media technology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), stated this in an announcement.
However, the HCTI standard aims to alleviate this strain by reducing the transmission rate to just 100 times per second, making it more closely aligned with human perception, according to Steinbach.
The new standard also enhances the control loop between the sender and receiver while compressing information similarly to how audio or image files are transmitted via the Internet, but in a bidirectional format.
New standards developed by researchers help make the internet tangible.
How does the new encoding work?
Steinbach indicates that the new codec is designed specifically for touch, much like JPEG or MPEG, and anticipates the emergence of more touch codecs during its development.
The encoding process compresses information transmitted over the Internet, eliminating data that exceeds human perception, similar to how visual and audio elements are removed in JPEG and MP3 files that are often undetectable to humans.
Although the precision may not be as high, this method assists in reducing the size of data packets, making transmission more manageable.
Typically, this process occurs in only one direction, and to effectively transmit the sense of touch digitally, two-way communication is essential.
This necessitates high-bandwidth, low-latency communications, which is relatively straightforward when operating robots nearby, but there are challenges in deploying this technology remotely.
Even though data is sent through fiber optic networks at the speed of light, it only travels at a maximum of 300 kilometers per millisecond.
Consequently, it would take approximately 30 milliseconds to transmit a packet of tactile data from Germany to Japan, disregarding any potential delays caused by the receivers.
This duration, however, does not facilitate an efficient technical tactile transfer process, which ensures immediate feedback, according to the researchers.
Nonetheless, a new technology that enables data compression will facilitate the transmission of information swiftly enough to eliminate any noticeable delays in human responses.
The new standard enables remote surgery.
Importance of the new standard
The new standard will be instrumental in numerous future applications, including remote surgery, where a robot within an operating room can be controlled from a different continent by an expert surgeon.
The doctor can also conduct a remote ultrasound examination of a patient in an ambulance, thereby expediting the process of providing assistance.
In terms of gaming and entertainment, this standard aims to enhance the gaming experience by providing more satisfying feedback, and it will also play a significant role in 4D cinemas.
For instance, it will facilitate the sensation of shaking hands with a gamer or a celebrity, and the standard integrates with VR and AR headsets for a more immersive experience.
Source: Live Science
Digital Transfer of Touch: A Revolutionary Leap in Technology
It is no longer strange to imagine that the sense of touch may be transferred digitally in the near future, especially with the tremendous technical development witnessed in the field of technology recently.
Realizing this hypothesis could contribute to huge transformations in the field of remote surgery, and it may also open the door to a new world of online gaming.
Coming soon!
Understanding Hands-Free Coding for the Touch Internet (HCTI)
According to a research paper published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards association last June, researchers have developed a standard called “Hands-Free Coding for the Touch Internet (HCTI).
This standard allows tactile information to be sent in two directions over the Internet, using small data packets that do not require large amounts of bandwidth.
Currently, transmitting tactile feedback remotely – such as moving a robot arm in an engineering site, for example – requires sending data packets in both directions 4,000 times per second.
Challenges with Current Technology
Although the technique helps achieve more realistic feedback, it puts a significant strain on the network that transmits the data packets, the paper’s lead author Eckhard Steinbach, a professor of media technology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), said in a statement.
But the HCTI standard tries to avoid this compression by reducing the rate to just 100 times per second, bringing it closer to human perception, Steinbach says.
How Does the HCTI Standard Work?
The new standard also improves the control loop between sender and receiver while compressing information in a similar way to that used to send audio or image files over the Internet, but in a bidirectional format.
How the Encoding Works
Steinbach says the new codec is for touch only, similar to JPEG or MPEG, and expects more new touch codecs to be revealed in development.
Encoding compresses information sent over the Internet, removing data that is beyond human perception, similar to how visual and audio elements are removed in JPEG and MP3 files.
The Need for Bidirectional Communication
Normally, this process only occurs in one direction. To transmit the sense of touch digitally, two-way communication is necessary for effective remote interactions.
This requires high-bandwidth, low-latency communications, which is easy when operating robots nearby, but presents challenges for remote implementations.
Physical Limitations of Data Transmission
While information is sent over fiber optic networks at the speed of light, it still travels at a maximum speed of 300 kilometers per millisecond.
Therefore, it would take about 30 milliseconds to send a packet of tactile data from Germany to Japan, not counting any delays that could be caused by the receivers.
However, a new technology that allows data compression will enable information to be transmitted quickly enough to avoid any delays in reactions that humans might notice.
Importance of the HCTI Standard
The new standard will help in many future applications, including remote surgery, where a robot inside an operating room can be remotely controlled by an expert surgeon on another continent.
Additionally, surgeons can perform remote ultrasound examinations of patients in ambulances, speeding up the process of providing vital assistance.
Impact on Gaming and Entertainment
The standard will also enhance gamer experience by providing more enjoyable feedback and could play an effective role in the development of 4D cinemas.
For example, it will help players feel as though they are shaking hands with a character or celebrity within a game, while integrating seamlessly with VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) headsets for a more immersive experience.
Future Possibilities and Applications
| Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Remote Surgery | Allows surgeons to operate on patients from any location using robotic systems. |
| Tactile Online Gaming | Enhances gaming experiences by enabling players to feel interactions in virtual environments. |
| 4D Cinema Experiences | Integrates tactile feedback for viewers during movies for a more interactive experience. |
| Telemedicine | Facilitates remote examinations and diagnostics by healthcare professionals. |
Source: Live Science
