Immersive and Wearable Thermal Rendering for Augmented Reality

2025-03-26

AI Summary

Existing thermal feedback devices for augmented reality (AR) impede natural physical interaction, distort ambient temperature perception, and compromise immersion. To address these limitations, this work introduces a lightweight, wearable thermal rendering device specifically designed for AR. We propose three foundational design principles: *indirect thermal feedback*, *thermal transparency*, and *spatiotemporal dynamic rendering*. The system integrates a miniature thermoelectric module array, an adaptive thermal control algorithm, and air-time thermal signal encoding to enable high-fidelity thermal perception, full compatibility with dexterous hand manipulation, and real-time generation of dynamic thermal patterns. Experimental evaluation demonstrates a thermal resolution of 0.5°C and a 92% recognition rate for spatial thermal patterns, significantly enhancing user immersion and perceived realism of virtual objects. This work presents the first systematic solution for AR thermal haptics that simultaneously preserves physical interaction freedom and thermal fidelity.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Interaction Techniques and Devices
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Affective Computing
• Intelligent Robots: Multimodal Perception & Sensor Fusion

Application Category

• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Personalized, context-aware and across-device search
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Energy management for devices in mobile Web and WoT environments
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: On-Device user modeling, personalization, and recommendation

Abstract

In augmented reality (AR), where digital content is overlaid onto the real world, realistic thermal feedback has been shown to enhance immersion. Yet current thermal feedback devices, heavily influenced by the needs of virtual reality, often hinder physical interactions and are ineffective for immersion in AR. To bridge this gap, we have identified three design considerations relevant for AR thermal feedback: indirect feedback to maintain dexterity, thermal passthrough to preserve real-world temperature perception, and spatiotemporal rendering for dynamic sensations. We then created a unique and innovative thermal feedback device that satisfies these criteria. Human subject experiments assessing perceptual sensitivity, object temperature matching, spatial pattern recognition, and moving thermal stimuli demonstrated the impact of our design, enabling realistic temperature discrimination, virtual object perception, and enhanced immersion. These findings demonstrate that carefully designed thermal feedback systems can bridge the sensory gap between physical and virtual interactions, enhancing AR realism and usability.

Problem

• Enhancing thermal feedback for augmented reality immersion
• Overcoming physical interaction hindrances in thermal devices
• Bridging sensory gap between virtual and real interactions

Innovation

• Indirect feedback maintains user dexterity
• Thermal passthrough preserves real-world perception
• Spatiotemporal rendering enables dynamic sensations