[For more information, download this Press Kit!]
H2L releases the successfully kickstarted
Haptic Game Controller UnlimitedHand for ?VR developers
UnlimitedHand
Grants intuitive control over VR environments
and a simulated sense of touch when strapped to the forearm
The Japanese venture H2L (Office: Chiyoda District Tokyo, CEO: Ken Iwasaki) has began the sales of “UnlimitedHand”, the Haptic Game Controller that allows a wearer to intuitively control and feel haptic feedback within Virtual Reality games. UnlimitedHand is now available for purchase on Amazon’s retail sites, UnlimitedHand’s official web store and retail stores in Japan.
Last year, on September 22nd, UnlimitedHand’s Kickstarter campaign was announced when H2L premiered at the Techcrunch SF conference. The campaign managed to reach its goal in just under 22 hours. Up till now, the UnlimitedHand has been distributed exclusively to Kickstarter Backers in the form of a “Reward”.
Retail Location and Launch Dates
UnlimitedHand’s Official Web Store: http://UnlimitedHand.com
From May 2016 at Amazon (Japan retail site): http://amazon.co.jp
From May 2016 at Amazon (US retail site): http://amazon.com
From November 2016 at Ascii-Store Japan: http://ascii-store.jp
From November 2016 at Aisan Electric’s 2/F Retail Store (in limited amounts)
Location: 12-3, Sotokanda 1-Chome Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 101-0021
Product Details
Haptic Game Controller – UnlimitedHand (Dev Kit)
[INCLUDES]
UnlimitedHand, UnlimitedHand Storage Plate, Replacement Gel Pads x 2, Velcro Strap, USB Cable, Instruction Manual, Warranty Certificate
[VR SDK]
Arduino Libraries, Processing Libraries, Unity Plugins, Sensor Calibration Kit(Launching July 2016),
Unreal Engine Plugin (Launching August 2016), Feedback Development Kit(Launching August 2016)
[Model No.] UH-01M
[Product Name]?UnlimitedHand (Dev Kit)
[Retail Price]?$319.99 USD
Technical Overview
A motion sensor and an array of muscle movement sensors*1 are embedded into the UnlimitedHand. These components allow the wearer to input Hand and Finger movements into virtual environments. In addition, a multi-channel Electric Muscle Stimulation device*2 is built in to the device. This component contracts the muscles on the wearer’s forearm to simulate haptic feedback. Through integrating these technologies, players of VR games will be able to feel interact with objects or characters inside a game and feel physical impact coming from them in return.
Until now, hand held and button based game devices have been the main choice of controllers. However, when we develop for the medium of Virtual or Augmented Reality games, they may break the immersion that we value. UnlimitedHand confronts this by incorporating our hands into the gaming experience. It does this by linking movements of the hand with its virtual counterpart while returning haptic feedback whenever the game deems it necessary. With the UnlimitedHand, one will be able to experience the ricochet from a gunshot, or to pet on characters with their very own hands.
*1 Array of muscle movement sensors:
A technology that monitors the positioning of muscles on the forearm to deduce finger movements.
*2 Electric Muscle Stimulation device:
A technology that passes electrical stimulus through tissue and muscles on arms or legs to generate movement.
About Us
Established July 2012, H2L researches and develops technology that enables the remote delivery of haptic sensations. “PossessedHand”, one of the 50 Best Inventions selected by TIME Magazine along with “UnlimitedHand” which premiered last year are their flagship products. H2L continues to expand their 2 areas of expertise which lies in precise motion-gesture tracking for Hands, and the actuation of Haptic Feedback through Electric Muscle Stimulus applied to the forearm.
Corporate Home Page: http://h2l.jp
Inquiries: info(at)h2l.jp
Product Site: http://unlimitedhand.com
Kickstarter Campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1551369150/ unlimitedhand-touch-and-feel-the-game-world