Getting started with the bHaptics Tactosy for Arms - utwente-interaction-lab/interaction-lab GitHub Wiki

bHaptics: Haptics Sleeves for Arms

Introduction

This bHaptics Sleeves for Arms, is a ready to use product with Audio-based support. bHaptics Tactosy is a series of products that is aimed for vibrotactile feedback for the arms, hands, and feet. At this moment, we only have tactosy for Arms.

bHaptics Tactosy for Arms is a pair of 2 wireless wearable haptic sleeves with 12 individually controllable vibrotactile motors (6 in each sleeve) along the forearms. It is used for haptic immersion in games for PC and VR.The device fully integrates into the game and provides positional haptic feedback as well as other unique haptic patterns for each in-game action. Tactosy also provides audio-based haptics so that you can feel the music sensation on your skin. It can only be connected via bluetooth. Once worn, it can be adjusted with velcro straps. It also contains a detachable inner lining which can be cleaned after multiple uses.

The sleeves connect to the PC using bHaptics Player. You can control the play mode (In-game/Music), haptic intensity, visualization, and access to bHaptics portal. bHaptics portal contains configurations for games such as Superhot, CS:GO, VR Chat, Half Life Alyx, and many more. You can also design custom interaction using bHaptics studio and designer, or by installing the SDKs (see support).

Haptic feedback points: 12

Interaction
Controllability: Adjustable vibration intensity, patterns, front/back activation Haptic point: 6 ERM motors (each) with individual control through bHaptics studio/designer Haptic type: In-game vibrotactile, audio-based haptics

Connectivity
Compatibility : PC, standalone VR Modes: Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE)

Battery
Battery: Lithium-ion rechargeable, 2900 mAh, 3.8 V, 11 Wh Battery Life: 18.4 hrs (when all motors operate for 1s every 5s at max intensity) Charging: 1.5 hrs with 5V 2A

Physical Aspects
Weight: 300 gm / 0.66 lbs (each) Wrist size: Free (5.5” - 14”)

More Features: Inner lining is detachable and machine washable

**Compatible headset types: **
HP Reverb G2, HTC Vive, HTC Vive Cosmos Elite, HTC VIVE Focus 3, HTC Vive Focus Plus, HTC Vive Pro / Eye, HTC VIVE Pro 2, HTC Vive Cosmos, Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2, Oculus Rift S, Pico Neo 2 / Eye, Pimax 5K Plus / Super / XR, Pimax 8K Plus / X, PSVR, Valve Index

In the Box

  • 2 x bHaptics Tactosy sleeve + Inner Lining
  • 1 x Bluetooth dongle
  • 2 x USB-C charging cable
  • 1 x User manual & Warranty

How to Get it Started

For initializing the devices for the first time, plug in the charger to bring it out of sleep mode.

Powering on/off the device

  1. Push the power button on top of the device. The LED indicator will flash blue indicating it is ready for pairing.
  2. Device automatically turns off after 3 mins if unpaired.
  3. To manually power off, if the device is paired hold the power button for 3 seconds. Short press, if unpaired.

PC setup

  1. Turn on the device and pair via bluetooth in Windows settings.
  2. If using bluetooth dongle,
  • Insert the dongle into a USB port on your PC. Drivers will be automatically installed.
  • If you have previously installed other Bluetooth drivers, open Device Manager > Bluetooth on Windows, and disable all previously installed Bluetooth drivers except ‘Generic Bluetooth Radio’, ‘Bluetooth Enumerator’, ‘Bluetooth LE enumerator.’
  • In this case, do not try pairing on Windows settings.

bHaptics Player

  • Install and run bHaptics Player (see downloads)
  • Right click on the blinking device and click “Pair”.
  • If the device doesn’t show, it means bluetooth is not set up properly. Reset the connection and try again.

bHaptics Portal

  • Click on the gamepad icon. It opens up the portal.
  • Click on the game you want to play and install the configuration.
  • Some games will require mod tool installation. You can find the guide by clicking “i” icon from each game page.

Developer Options

SDK
The SDK contains a big library of haptic effects. SDKs are available for - Unity, Unreal, C++, C#, Python, Javascript, Android. See installation steps for each at SDK.

bHaptics Designer
bHaptics Designer is a web-based haptic feedback designer. It can be used to create and integrate custom haptic patterns into your content. All you need to do is simply click and drag between feedback points. This tool will help you minimize development time and effort significantly. See designer tutorial. Needs login.

bHaptics Studio
bHaptics Studio is geared towards audio-based haptics. You can create or edit the profile by selecting the range of frequencies, threshold and activation area of the vest to feel the sound. Needs login. See studio tutorial

Useful Links and Documents

Documents

Videos