Haptography let you feel virtual things

Since the beginning of the Internet in the early 90s, we are looking for a better connection between online and offline experience. In the beginning internet was primarily an old fashioned bookstore. In contrast, in today’s internet experience is very important. As we know we use all our senses for a better perception. On the Internet, however, we have a limited number of senses. Only your eyes and ears are used. But we are looking for new ways to use all sences online. Haptografie is an example of the quest to complete experience of internet, using more senses.

In the Ted Ed Video below Katherine Kuchenbecher explains how she came to the idea of Haptography. Actually the idea came very simple. With a sensor you can “feel” a product: the density, the hardness, how bumpy something is, and so on. These data is translated into software, and then translated into a tablet, computer or other thing connected to the Internet. The result: you van feel a product from a distance.

This development can be applied in many fields, according to Kuchenbecher. Haptography shall for obvious reasons be used in online shopping. But it can aso be of use in education, gaming and even medical applications. The process of haptography must be simplified for this matter, because to feel your entire online shop stock is very labour intensive. As with many things, this technique will also be tucked away needly under the hood. The first step for sensing online is made. Smelling and tasting online will follow soon.