Japanese company Ohtani Design Laboratory recently announced the official launch of their “V-Nade!” project, which allows fans to interact with their favorite VTubers more “intimately” – by petting their heads. The project was unveiled as part of Teno-Verse, an interactive entertainment system that utilizes hand-tracking sensors.
According to Ohtani Design Laboratory, the “V-Nade!” system doesn’t require special peripherals like controllers, gloves or touch panels. If you simply hold your hand over the sensor and move it in the air making “stroking gestures,” the hand projected on the screen will move accordingly, showing petting animations that are synced with your actions.
Apparently, the system also allows for “two-way communication,” meaning that the VTuber on the other side of the screen will be able to see where and how you’re petting them during a one-on-one meet-and-greet session, for example.
The system is not limited to just 2D and 3D VTuber avatars, but can also be used with anime and game character illustrations, paired with pre-loaded voice lines. The developers expect Teno-Verse’s “V-Nade!” feature to be utilized in scenarios such as VTuber, anime and video game fan events, promotional events, concept cafes, exhibitions, and theme parks.
With the rise of VTubing culture, many Japanese companies have been seeing this as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the real and the virtual and meet the demand of fans eager to have more ‘personal’ interactions with their favorite talents. Recently, Japanese tech company Docomo unveiled their Feel Tech technology, which allows for a more “immersive” experience of VTuber concerts and events. Synchronizing a ball-shaped haptic device with a VTuber’s performance, the technology lets user experience physical sensations directly transmitted from their virtual idols.
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