With HoloSuit, Kaaya Tech would like to have a piece of the haptic cake. The company has now successfully launched production of the HoloSuit via Kickstarter. What does a full body suit offer?
Slowly but surely the visionary VR future from Ready Player One becomes reality. More and more developers are working on haptic VR technology, and the company Kaaya Tech is joining the trend. Recently, the HoloSuit from Kickstarter has reached its financing target. But where and when should the VR suit be used?
A VR suit in different versions
Similar to the Teslasuit, the HoloSuit is a full body suit that provides both haptic feedback and transfers our body movements into virtual reality. According to manufacturer Kaaya Tech, a total of 36 motion sensors, nine haptic motors, and six operating buttons are used in the premium version HoloSuit Pro.
The standard HoloSuit is equipped with 26 tracking sensors, the Pro version even comes with 36 sensors.
A complete set includes a pair of haptic gloves, trousers with extensions for the feet and a jacket with a headband. The less complex version of the HoloSuit drops the Pro add-on, but still offers 26 sensors and the same number of haptic motors. The individual parts of the suit such as gloves, trousers etc. can also be purchased separately.
Haptic-VR for a wide range of applications
Kaaya Tech has a wide range of applications in mind for the HoloSuit. The suit should be used in the entertainment sector as well as for professional purposes.
From virtual golfing and full-body VR yoga to professional training in industry or the training of military personnel, almost any scenario is conceivable.
The VR suit is based on the idea of building up real muscle memory in the wearer through virtual training. The whole thing works without external tracking. The sensors in the suit alone detect movements and transmit them to the VR software via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
When and at what price will the HoloSuit be released?
However, the HoloSuit will not be a bargain. The set price of the standard version is 999 dollars for Kickstarter backers and 1499 dollars for the pro version. Kaaya Tech also offers individual parts of the HoloSuit for pre-order. For example, a glove with tracking of all five fingers costs baker $249.
VR suits like the HoloSuit bring us a lot closer to the vision from Ready Player One. © Kaaya Tech
According to the manufacturer, the HoloSuit will support a large number of head-mounted displays, including HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality, HoloLens and smartphone glasses such as Samsung Gear VR. Kaaya Tech promises to ship the first suits produced in November this year.
All information about haptic VR technologies can be found in our special about feeling into VR. We are currently using the automotive industry as an example to explain how VR and other future technologies can be used in industry.
What do you think of the HoloSuit? Have you ever tried a similar technology? Write us in the comments!