Today's virtual reality game where three-dimensional video and stereo sound follow the movements of the head places the players in the middle of the gaming world.
But the emotional sense is almost completely lacking in VR.
There are still only hand controls that vibrate.
Ultrasound waves aimed at the lips
The researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's robot lab wanted to find ways to increase the sense of reality in VR.
Next to the fingertips, the lips have the most sensory nerves on the body so they focused on them.
The lips can feel the light touches created by 64 ultrasound sensors mounted in front of the mouth on the VR headset.
The ultrasonic waves are similar to sound waves fixed with higher frequencies, but below limit values that are considered to involve some risk.
Feels like you're drinking coffee
Other researchers have tried to provide sensory experiences in VR with robotic arms that touch the lips, but that technique is expensive and complicated.
An alternative to ultrasound technology would be to blow against the lips with small fans or compressed air, according to robotics researcher Vivian Shen.
The researchers have, among other things, played a horror game.
In the video, you see how Vivian Shen reacts to cobwebs and exploding monsters when the mouth's sensory nerves are stimulated.
Feel the speed wind
- We can not do any major emotional sensations like a kiss or a slap in the face with our system, says Vivian Shen.
So far, the sensory impressions towards the mouth are millimeters small and directed with the new ultrasound technology, but the feeling of speed wind, raindrops or toothbrushing is good to simulate, the study shows.
No computer game companies or VR headset manufacturers have contacted the researchers so far, but Vivian Shen believes that VR headsets that give sensations on the face are available in stores within five to ten years.