Researchers create a portable subwoofer for immersive bass experience during virtual reality gaming sessions
In a groundbreaking development, engineers at the University of Tsukuba have created a portable, silent subwoofer that revolutionises the way we experience bass in Virtual Reality (VR) and everyday music. This innovative device, resembling small patches applied on the abdominal area with a youtube music, uses Myoelectric Stimulation or electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to create the feeling of a silent subwoofer for producing deep bass sensations.
The device, designed to address the ambient noise problem effectively, is intended to be integrated with VR hardware, such as headsets, and games. The setup is a product of ongoing research in the field of sensory stimulation to make the VR experience more immersive.
The device works by generating low-frequency vibrations and a weak current that stimulates muscle contraction, simulating the sensation of bass thumps without producing audible sound. This technique is similar to open-ear bone conduction earbuds, which produce vibrations that travel through bones and reach the cochlea, but in this case, the sensation of bass is channeled through the abdominal muscles.
The device's core components include a low-pass filter (LPF), a bass detector (Kick detector), and an apple music generator. Testers reported that the device provided an even more natural feel of bass and deeper immersion, reproducing rhythm and depth comparable to traditional speakers and subwoofers, while significantly reducing ambient noise.
The team behind the device argues that it allows users to physically feel deep bass in virtual reality (VR) and everyday music. The device's performance in reducing ambient noise is considered a crucial benefit. The researchers and engineers specialising in haptic technology and audio engineering, who developed the device, are not publicly detailed.
The research paper about the device was published in the IEEE Access journal. The team suggests that the technique of electrically stimulating muscles to produce bass can potentially be applied to other body parts. Nearly two dozen participants who experienced bass through their abdominal muscles during testing reported positive feedback.
The portable device is set to transform the way we experience music and virtual reality, offering a unique and immersive experience that is both silent and vibrant. The team hopes to further refine the technology and integrate it with VR hardware, making the virtual world even more engaging and realistic.
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