Technology has come a long way. Today, you can use programs such as VPN on router vs computer and have access to as much information as you need, regardless of the geographical or legal restrictions imposed on it. Astonishing, right? But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Human-computer interaction is doubtlessly one of the most intriguing inventions by humankind. It gives us a different perspective on how we can interact with machines.
Even with all the VR technology out there, you might be asking yourself, what is the future of HCI? Well, to answer this question, we have outlined a few prototypes that show that human-computer interaction will grow bigger and better in the next few years.
Dexta Haptic Gloves
Over the years, different companies have been developing devices that help the end user ‘feel’ virtual reality. One of these companies is Dexta Robotics that developed the Dexta Haptic Gloves. These are exoskeleton gloves that make it possible for VR to literally ‘push back.’
When you get into the virtual reality world with these gloves, they will simulate feedback through locking and unlocking of your finger joints whenever you touch different virtual objects. Through this, the gloves can simulate various haptic sensations such as springiness, softness, hardness, and a lot more.
Pre-touch sensing
Imagine having a smartphone that will not only act as a communication and entertainment device but one that will also read your mind? Well, this could enhance your friendship even further with your device, huh?
Over the past two years, Microsoft has been researching on pre-touch sensing, a technology that will help your phone detect how it is gripped, and sense when a finger is approaching the screen. This technology has been tested on various smartphones, and when it fully hits the market, it will open new UI possibilities by and allow different customization options for on-screen elements.
Paperid
Paperid simply means that soon, we shall not destroy the environment and make paper. Instead, we shall have papers that will be as interactive as a touchscreen. How is this even possible?
Luckily, the University of Washington, Carnegie University, and Disney Research have come up with ways in which paper can be given the ability to interact with its surroundings. This involves responding to gestures and connecting to the internet of things.
With the above technologies, there is no doubt that human-computer interaction will have a great future. We are going to a digital world where VR will feel real, and the world will become an exciting place to live in. Let’s keep our eyes open!