Force feedback technology and an array of electrodes allow users to ‘feel’ objects in VR.

Teslasuit today announced the latest addition to its growing line-up of VR-focused haptic accessories, the Teslasuit Glove.

Available to demo next month during CES 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada, these advanced VR gloves allow users to “feel” digital objects in VR thanks to a combination of haptic and force feedback technology. But with numerous VR gloves already on the market, what exactly does the Teslasuit Glove bring to the table that products such as ManusVR haven’t already?

Image Credit: Teslasuit

Well, for one thing, the Teslasuit Glove features a plastic exoskeleton that extends from the back of the hand to the tip of each finger, creating a realistic sense of resistance when handling objects in VR. For example, when grasping a digital object in a VR space, the gloves will prevent the user from completely closing their fist, creating the sensation of holding a physical object. Meanwhile, nine different electrodes placed on each fingertip simulate the sensation of touching different textures and materials. Similar to existing VR gloves, the Teslasuit Glove also features motion capture technology and is able to track the position of each individual finger as well as the wrist.

Perhaps most interesting, however, are the biometric capabilities of the VR glove. Similar to the full-body Teslasuit, the Teslasuit Glove records and monitors a user’s biometric data using a pulse oximeter. This allows companies to track a user’s heart rate, excitement level, and overall stress.

Image Credit: Teslasuit

Much like the Teslasuit, the Teslasuit Glove is aimed primarily at businesses looking to enhance their training or rehabilitation programs. Since its initial introduction as a consumer-focused Kickstarter project back in 2016, the Teslasuit has proven itself a useful tool in a variety of fields, from industrial training to medical rehabilitation. For the ultimate VR experience, the Teslasuit Glove can be paired to the full-body Teslasuit via WiFi.

The Teslasuit Glove will begin shipping late 2020 for an estimated $5,000; as I said, these gloves are designed primarily for industrial use.

Feature Image Credit: Teslasuit