SenseGlove, a Netherlands-based creator of XR haptic gloves, has secured €3.25 million (~$3.5 million) in a series A funding round, something the company says will be used to accelerate its enterprise-focused SenseGlove Nova haptic gloves.
The funding round was led by Dutch venture capital firm Lumaux, bringing the company’s total outside investment to around €5.5 million (~$6 million). Previous rounds included investors Forward.One and Value Creation Capital.
The company says the investment will be used to continue development on its haptic SenseGlove Nova gloves and to develop new products. It will also be used to open an office in the US.
SenseGlove’s haptic gloves are said to let users interact in VR naturally and train muscle memory by providing the feeling of size, stiffness, and impacts of virtual objects. The company’s technology has been used in a range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and training.
The company’s haptic gloves provide a combination of force and vibrotactile feedback and wireless compact design that primarily appeals to enterprise.
SenseGlove has provided its haptic gloves to firms such as Airbus, Scania, Honda, Cambridge University, TNO, Fraunhofer, and Siemens. In all, the company has worked with over 500 partners, including Volkswagen, P&G, and the Royal Dutch Army.
While squarely an enterprise-focused XR peripheral, SenseGlove Nova is also available for purchase through the company website. For small quantities, Nova regularly sells for €5,000 (~$5,400), however the company notes that larger quantities can cost less when contacted directly.
Welcome to another VR Job Hub where every weekend gmw3 gathers together vacancies from across the virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) industries, in locations around the globe to help make finding that ideal job easier. Below is a selection of roles that are currently accepting applications across a number of disciplines, all within departments and companies that focus on immersive entertainment.
Don’t forget, if there wasn’t anything that took your fancy this week there are always last week’s listings on The VR Job Hubto check as well.
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We’ll see you next week on gmw3 at the usual time of 3PM (UK) for another selection of jobs from around the world.
If businesses are looking for ultra-high-end virtual reality (VR) solutions there are a select few companies involved in the space, whether that’s for headsets or complementary accessories. SenseGlove unveiled its professional-grade device during CES 2021, a force-feedback haptic glove called the Nova. Priced at a very enterprise-level $5000 USD, this month the SenseGlove Nova began shipping to customers.
Until the Nova came along, SenseGlove initially started with its clunky, bright blue development kit, managing to reduce and streamline the force-feedback experience into a far more useable form factor. This saw the design move from larger, mechanical appendages to a mechanism inspired by human tendons. The gloves work thanks to four magnetic friction brakes applying resistance through wires running down the thumb and three fingers – the little finger is excluded.
The process enables the SenseGlove Nova to deliver up to 20N of force per finger – equivalent to the weight of a 2 kg (4.4 lbs) brick. Thus, users can “feel” what it’s like to pick up and hold various objects to gauge their shape, texture, stiffness, and more. That, in turn, makes for a far more immersive experience, ideal for the training and research applications the glove was built for.
VR training has become one of the major use cases for the technology in the enterprise sector, especially where trainees have to handle hazardous materials or carry out complex tasks with dangerous machinery. It’s not just about reducing risks either, VR has also been useful when designing and testing physical prototypes, with devices like the SenseGlove Nova enabling designers to really get “hands-on” with their digital creations.
“Easy-to-use and accessible haptic gloves represent a huge step forward for the VR training industry,” said Gijs den Butter, CEO of SenseGlove in a statement. “The usability of the gloves is as important as their technical features, as it delivers natural interaction and allows the ability to scale up the training process, which is why the SenseGlove Nova is lightweight, wireless, compatible with standalone headsets and easy to put on and remove.”
Available in three different sizes with the fabric detachable from the electronics for easy cleaning, the SenseGlove Nova‘s $5000 cost can be reduced if you’re after a few. Bulk orders of 10 or more will get you a discounted rate of $3,500 per set of gloves. Quite often seen used in conjunction with the Pico Neo 2 headset that can automatically track the gloves, SenseGlove Nova can be used with Oculus Quest and HTC Vive headsets by mounting the controllers on the gloves – mounts are supplied.
VRFocus will continue its coverage of SenseGlove and all the latest enterprise-focused hardware applications.
SenseGlove, a Dutch-based producer of VR haptic gloves, has revealed an early prototype of their second glove, the SenseGlove Nova. We recently visited the company to see how it works and feels.
Cas and Chary VR is a YouTube channel hosted by Netherland-based duo Casandra Vuong and Chary Keijzer who have been documenting their VR journeys since 2016. They share a curated selection of their content with extra insights for the Road to VR audience.
SenseGlove’s first glove was called the DK1 and were tethered haptic gloves that use an exoskeleton attached to each finger for the force-feedback.
SenseGlove DK1 | Image courtesy SenseGlove
The first significant difference you’ll see in the SenseGlove Nova compared to the prior model is that the newer model has a futuristic design that’s much more like a glove and designed to be put on in just five seconds, according to the company. This time it’s designed for ease of use; it’s wireless and is compatible with standalone VR headsets like the Oculus Quest, Pico Neo, and Vive Focus.
The SenseGlove Nova can simulate the feeling of shapes, textures, stiffness, impact, and resistance. This is made possible with the company’s trifecta of touch: force-feedback, vibrotactile feedback, and motion tracking.
Force Feedback
Image courtesy Cas & Chary VR
The Nova uses a passive force-feedback system; instead of actively pulling the fingers back, the gloves allow you to feel virtual objects by ‘stopping’ your fingers from moving. The gloves use one magnet per finger that’s attached to pulleys and wires. Once a user grabs a virtual object, the magnets will exert power to ‘stop’ your fingers. By determining how much force it applies, you can feel the difference between hard and soft objects.
Vibrotactile Feedback
Image courtesy Cas & Chary VR
The force-feedback is enhanced by vibrotactile feedback. Both the thumb and the index finger have their own vibrotactile actuator, while an advanced voice coil actuator is located at the bottom of the glove. The voice coil actuator allows the Nova to render the feeling of realistic button clicks and impact simulations. Developers can do this by recording sound, converting it to a vibration waveform, and then bringing it inside the virtual environment to be played back by the glove.
Motion Tracking
As for motion tracking, the Nova combines sensor-based finger tracking with computer vision hand tracking algorithms. With this combination, there’s no need for external tracking devices on headsets that offer third-party access to the tracking cameras. On a more closed-off system like the Oculus Quest, the controllers are mounted on the gloves to make motion tracking possible.
During my visit, SenseGlove showed us a demo inside a zero-gravity space station where I had to do a simple repair mission. In front of me was a table with objects of different densities that I could touch and grab.
Image courtesy Cas & Chary VR
I have to note here that the Nova gloves didn’t come in the right size for my hands, so the haptic feedback wasn’t optimal. Still, like the first glove, I was able to feel the difference between, for example, a soft, squeezable ball and a battery made of glass. When I touched an object, I felt vibration. When I grabbed something, I could feel a slight resistance on my fingers, which, combined with seeing the object, made me automatically stop my fingers from moving further. It felt natural, real and I thought it was impressive, especially given the wireless freedom of movement without much latency. I did have a greater wow-factor when I demoed the DK1 as it felt more precise since the first glove had twice the strength (40 Newton instead of 20N).
SenseGlove told us that the Nova will be sold alongside the DK1 as both gloves have their pros and cons. If you’re looking for accuracy, the DK1 is a good option. The Nova is here if ease of use is more important.
The SenseGlove Nova primary use case is for commercial purposes and costs €4,500, which is about $5,300. Consumer plans are not in the works, but I think it is interesting to watch this space as it gives us a good idea of what is in store for consumers in the future.
SenseGlove revealed its latest haptic feedback gloves, the Nova, earlier this year, compacting its previous design into a more ergonomic solution. One client testing the latest device is the Royal Netherlands Army, with a new video showcasing how it is using the Nova gloves to train personnel for on-site equipment assemblies.
The army has been experimenting with virtual reality (VR) and various input methods for training purposes for several years now, looking for intuitive solutions to improve training methods. The Ministry of Defence Simulation Centre began testing the SenseGlove Nova in 2020 during prototyping, utilising its force-feedback haptics to create a natural response to assembling complex machinery.
“Using regular controllers in VR is an artificial way of interaction, nobody ever pushes the button with their fist. Usually, you push a button with your finger. Grabbing things, moving things needs to be as natural as possible,” says Captain Ewoud, Staff Officer Research and Development for the Royal Netherlands Army Simulation Centre in a statement.
SenseGlove Nova’s force-feedback system consists of four magnetic friction brakes attached to wires running down the thumb and three fingers. These brakes can supply a maximum of 20N of force allowing users to feel shapes, sizes and forms. Additionally, the gloves also feature voice coil actuators for vibrotactile haptics in the thumb and index finger.
“SenseGlove Nova is made with VR training purposes in mind and we are excited to prove this concept with this use case of assembling a satellite receiver. Any assembly training is based on haptic interactions: dealing with machinery and parts of all sizes and shapes, picking and positioning new parts and interacting with potentially dangerous equipment. That’s why we have created haptic gloves which are made for hands-on practice,” adds SenseGlove CEO, Gijs den Butter.
The training application seen in the video below was made in collaboration with VRee, helping build muscle memory before transferring it to the real world.
Designed for companies interested in VR training and research purposes, the SenseGlove Nova is available for pre-order now retailing for €4,499.00 EUR ex VAT. For further updates on the latest haptic glove solutions, keep reading VRFocus.
Every weekend VRFocus gathers together vacancies from across the virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) industry, in locations around the globe to help make finding that ideal job easier. Below is a selection of roles that are currently accepting applications across a number of disciplines, all within departments and companies that focus on immersive entertainment.
Don’t forget, if there wasn’t anything that took your fancy this week there’s always last week’s listings on The VR Job Hubto check as well.
If you are an employer looking for someone to fill an immersive technology related role – regardless of the industry – don’t forget you can send us the lowdown on the position and we’ll be sure to feature it in that following week’s feature. Details should be sent to Peter Graham (pgraham@vrfocus.com).
We’ll see you next week on VRFocus at the usual time of 3PM (UK) for another selection of jobs from around the world.
When it comes to data gloves with force-feedback haptics they tend to be big bulky, mechanical devices. This was very much the case with SenseGloves’ first product in 2018 with its striking blue mechanism. Today, for CES 2021, the company has unveiled a far more compact and user-friendly design, the SenseGlove Nova.
Designed primarily for virtual reality (VR) training use cases, the SenseGlove Nova moves away from the exoskeleton look of the original – which will still be available for VR research – with a mechanism inspired by human tendons. Force-feedback is applied by four magnetic friction brakes attached to wires running down the thumb and three fingers. Each of these brakes can deliver up to 20N of force allowing users to feel the form factor of digital objects. SenseGlove say this force is: “equivalent to the weight of a 2 kg brick on each finger.”
Adding to the sensory feedback, the Nova gloves also feature voice coil actuators for vibrotactile haptics in the thumb and index finger. These allow users to feel textures and other sensations, such as pressing a button on a dashboard or using a tool. Plus the SenseGlove Nova is now easier to put on as you don’t need to strap each individual finger in. Thus it should take a few second to don each one.
“Unlike research applications, VR training projects are all about quick implementation. Based on customer feedback, SenseGlove has created a new glove using stretchable, easy to put on material. The ability to experience digital worlds through intuitive real-world behaviours along with the price of $5,000 US make the SenseGlove Nova the most accessible device for the future of work and a new sense in VR training,” said Gijs den Butter, SenseGlove CEO in a statement.
Since the original SenseGlove was released the company has worked with over 100 institutions including Volkswagen, Airbus, Scania and Honda. “The next big step towards truly immersive VR training is to have haptic interactions. Therefore, Volkswagen collaborates with SenseGlove to make this vision of scalable haptic VR training a reality,” adds Malte Hedemann, Referent Digital Realities (VR /AR) at the Volkswagen Group.
SenseGlove is showcasing the working prototype during CES 2021 this week with plans to ship the first pairs of Nova gloves during March. For further updates keep reading VRFocus.
When it comes to immersion, you may lose the sensation when presented with something that requires the use of a controller to operate it when you’d normally just use your hands to accomplish the task. Everyday experiences in virtual reality (VR) such as opening or closing doors, or feeling absolutely no resistance of an object might distort or break the illusion of reality in a virtual world. VRFocus spoke to Gijs den Butter, the co-founder of Senseglove, about incorporating haptic feedback as well as force feedback to create a more realistic experience.
Feel the sensation of crushing an egg in VR.
Spawning from a graduation project around a glove for rehabilitation, den Butter and his co-founder realised they could use concepts of the glove in virtual reality (VR) applications. Den Butter says he tried VR and was quite sad when he had to push a button to pick up an object. They decided to take what they had of their glove and turned the motor functions around in order to enhance motion, so users could feel objects in a virtual space.
Originating from a graduation project that den Butter was working on with glove rehabilitation, then tried VR. button to pick up an object, we had the glove similar but turn around the motor controls to enhance motion so you can actually feel now. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this year in Las Vegas, individuals were able to try and squeeze various round objects in their hands, such as eggs or a squishy ball. They were asked to squeeze their hand, feeling first the tension then the release as the ‘egg’ broke. This received a lot of positive feedback and when asked if people were impressed den Butter says, “to be honest, yes.”
At the moment Senseglove has 500 units available for pre-order on their website. All of the functions and capabilities of the glove on the show floor will also be available in their DK1 version, which should be ready to ship around July 2018. These include being able to push buttons, pull a trigger or, for example, use a welder. Den Butter says that the next steps would be to make the glove smaller, in different sizes with hard parts that will always be 90 degrees above the fingers.
