19 May 2005
A team of innovative researchers have designed an advanced cybernetic system that permits actual physical interaction over the Internet.
According to WiredNews, the Touchy Internet is currently being trialled at the National University of Singapore using chickens but the group has hyped the technology's potential use in terms of human accessibility and communication.
"This is the first human-poultry interaction system ever developed," said professor Adrian David Cheok, the team leader.
"We understand the perceived eccentricity of developing a system for humans to interact with poultry remotely, but this work has a much wider significance."
Such remote haptic interaction could allow people who are allergic to cats and dogs to touch their pets, for instance, but more impressively could help stimulate leg muscles.
Lee Shang Ping, a fellow team member, said the technology can be used with a special pair of shoes with electric sensors that receive information about leg movements from sensors.
Users get to feel an electric tingle in their leg every time a cyber step is taken, helping them move.
"Remote dance synchronization is a real possibility," said Mr Shang Ping. "Students learning how to dance can wear these special shoes, which will stimulate their muscles when their dance teacher moves her legs."
The group added that this breakthrough could well have a considerable world wide impact for disabled people when completed.© DeHavilland Information Services plc
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