BeBop Sensors, a Californian leader in smart fabric sensor technology, announced today the Forte Data Glove – a data glove set to incorporate haptics, wireless technology and accurate sensing for gaming and AR/VR environments.
Fast Frames Per Second
The BeBop Sensors Forte Data Glove is a one-size-fits-all glove, conducive to lengthy Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality sessions due to its light weight and open design. Sensor data and haptic commands communicate through Micro USB or Bluetooth wireless to the host device, with Micro USB also charging the internal lithium battery.
The glove provides ‘Super Accurate Rapid Sensing’ with data rates at 150 frames per second, with lag eliminated, triggering approaches near instantaneous response times – ideal for low-latency demanding applications, such as FPS games.
The Forte Data Glove features 10 smart fabric bend sensors located above each knuckle with bend accuracy and repeatability +/- 1.5 degrees and sensor speeds of 500Hz. A nine degree Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) provides low drift and pre-blended accelerometer and gyro sensor data.
Haptically Speaking
Created by BeBop Sensors’ Founder Keith McMillen, the Forte Glove can host up to 64 unique resident haptic sound files, with new files uploaded over Bluetooth or USB from the host. The glove’s custom haptic actuators are non-resonant with a 4+ octave frequency response of 100Hz to 2000Hz. Six actuators are located on each of the four fingertips, thumb and palm, with the palm haptic conveying possession of an object.
The haptic signals can be pitch shifted and volume adjusted in real-time to aid in the impression of reality. Signals can loop continuously or operate in a single play mode. The actuators respond to standard MIDI API based commands for ease of integration into games and environments for OEMs.
15 Hours Of Manual Manipulation
The internal battery lasts for 15 hours of continuous Bluetooth connectivity while driving haptics to 100% amplitude. A full recharge takes two hours, or you can continue to game using USB simultaneously while the battery is charging.
BeBop Sensors Forte Data Glove and development kit will be available to qualified OEMs in December 2017.
