A Japanese startup is attempting to blur the line between actual reality and virtual reality using technology that allows wearers to feel pain experienced in the virtual world in real life.
H2L Technologies, a Tokyo-based tech company backed by Sony, recently unveiled a wristband that delivers small electric shocks whenever the wearer experiences pain-inflicting damage in virtual reality.
The device is intended to do much more than that, including simulating a range of sensations from catching a ball to having a bird peck the wearer's skin, as well as simulating weight and resistance.
Amy Tamaki, CEO of H2L, stated, "Feeling pain allows us to transform the metaverse into a real world, enhancing the feelings of presence and immersion."
Reportedly, Tamaki came up with the idea of using haptic feedback technology after experiencing a near-death experience earlier in her life due to a serious heart condition. The Japanese executive said, "I realized that life is precious, so I decided to work in a new field I really wanted to delve into, as there was no one researching this area at that time."
Tamaki also expressed her belief that touch technology will free humans from all constraints of geography, physiology, and time by 2029, according to Oddity Central.
