Japanese tech company NTT Docomo recently announced a new line of haptic devices powered by their Feel Tech technology that will allow for a more “immersive” experience of virtual concerts. In collaboration with Cover Corporation’s VTuber talent agency hololive, the company held the first demonstration of the technology at this year’s SXSW in Austin, Texas.
According to Docomo, Feel Tech is a technology that “digitally translates” human sensations like tactile and emotional cues from audio-visual content through a ball-shaped handheld haptic device. By synchronizing their device with a VTuber’s virtual performance, users are able to experience physical sensations (such as vibrations, pulses and movements) directly transmitted from the idol themselves.
The recent trial demonstration of the Feel Tech technology, presented in collaboration with hololive English -Myth-, had participants choose one of the three members of the idol group which they wanted to “connect with,” showing them a pre-recorded video performance. The participants would hold a penlight and the ball device, synchronized with their idol member of choice, in their hand while the video was playing. According to a user review by u/BlackPenguin on Reddit, the ball devices would react with the idol’s movements, lighting up, vibrating and pulsing in tune with the performances.
While this trial was only focused on VTuber performances, one of Docomo’s goals for Feel Tech is to “enhance Japan’s rapidly growing ‘oshi-katsu culture.” As suggested in the press release, this means that the technology probably won’t be limited to virtual idols and streamers, and that future tests might focus on other areas of Japanese media, including anime and video games.
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