Electronic Skin for Virtual Sensation Generation in Immersive Virtual and Augmented Reality

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) have revolutionized digital content interaction. To achieve immersive interaction experiences, multi-sensory input is essential. Electronic skin (e-skin) compensates for the lack of sensory experience beyond visual and auditory senses with its characteristics of compact, lightweight, highly flexible, and adhering seamlessly to the body. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent progress in the virtual sensations generation of e-skin including tactile, thermal, olfactory, and directional perceptions within the AR/VR landscape. The detailed applications of these e-skins involve virtual touch via social media, the feel of being hit during the game, remote surface texture and object shape recognition, generating virtual minty and lemon, etc. E-skin has emerged as a game-changing technology in the realms of VR and AR, enhancing immersion and interaction through touchless interactions and various virtual sensations. These evolutions promise to further bridge the physical and virtual worlds, transforming our AR/VR experiences in the future.