Dear all,

A reporter from Gigazine gave an in depth review of the demo he received from us in the CEATEC event. Written below is an English translation of what he has to say. For the original article please visit this site: http://gigazine.net/news/20151006-unlimitedhand-ceatec-japan-2015/

Translation Begins Here:

The venture that was started by University of Tokyo named H2L, have developed the 「UnlimitedHand」a tactile type game controller that allows one to carry with them a sense of touch during game play. This project was funded through the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform. The device is the first to make use of electrical muscle stimulation to trigger finger movements from the User as he comes into contact with objects in the virtual world, simulating a tactile response from the virtual environment. Within 24 hours of the projects initiation, they have secured 20 thousand USD from backers. This device is being exhibited at this years CEATEC Japan. I wish to see for myself what this controller is capable of and so made my way here to the event.

As we experience VR or AR games, the existing format of button based game controllers may not allow us to intuitively interact with the game’s contents. It is an issue. With the UnlimitedHand, upon strapping on the device, your finger movements will be able to sync with actions within the game such as the shooting of guns, but at the same time, you will be able to feel the ricochet of the gun itself. Such experiences can be realised with this device.

Interactions within gameplay that was never thought of before can now be conceived of. In the VR occasion when little birds fill the room, one can pet and feel these animals themselves. The sensation collected in relation to your body.

The UnlimitedHand delivers Electrical Muscle Stimulation to your muscles and cause them to contract. Stimulations are delivered according to the happenings in the game which are being constantly monitored. Therefore it is able to simulate in real time tactile feelings in relation to the objects within the game. Motion sensors and Muscle Movement sensors are also embedded in the unit. These sensors track the User’s gestures and delivers it as input to the game.

Applications apply not only to games, the UnlimitedHand is also capable of controlling other entities such as robot arms.

The company that developed the UnlimitedHand is named H2L. They have a booth situated in the CEATEC JAPAN 2015 even this year. When I approached the booth, the CEO of H2L Ken Iwasaki happened to be tuning up the device for upcoming demonstrations.

Here is a photograph of the booth and its posters.

The white device wrapped around Ken’s fore arm is the UnlimitedHand. Concerning wearability, its weight does not linger as a nuisance. One can freely engage in gameplay without feeling drawn back and tangled up with cables alike. When used together with HMD (Head Mounted Display ) devices, tactile stimulus can be paired with the visual, allowing for a realism that is high in fidelity.

I have tried on the device, experiencing the electric stimulus being passed through my body first hand. Other gestures that are also possible include the continuous movement of the wrists which comes from the repeated firing of a rifle in a game. Ken has demonstrated to me how individual fingers can also be moved.。

The company H2L had originally developed a device that moves a user’s fingers through electric stimulus. This time, they have taken their know how and attempted to commercialise the device through the help of the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. They insist on Users being able to calibrate the device to fit their own bodies and gaming needs. The design of the product is also going to be met with revisions.

The UnlimitedHand project on Kickstarter will be ending 15:00 on the 21th of November. As I am writing this article H2l are trying to reach “Stretch Goals” that they have appended to the campaign. Funding has already surpassed 56 thousand USD which amounts to 6.73 million Yen. If funding manages to surpass 60 thousand USD, H2L will aim to develop a plugin for the UH making it compatible with the Unreal Engine. If funding manages to peak over 80 thousand, even more game environments will be made compatible with the UH.

A single unit of the UnlimitedHand costs 248 USD (around 30 thousand Yen). It will come with a developers ID, a Unity Plugin, Arduino and Processing Libraries, original promotional seals and sample games. An additional 20 USD will be charged for shipping purposes. The first batch is to be shipped to Kickstarter Backers at around March 2016.