Newswise – The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS, President Dr. Ho Seong Lee) is collaborating with government-funded research institutes and universities to create a hyper-realistic metaverse that can be touched.
On December 13, 2023, KRISS held a sign hanging ceremony at its headquarters in Daejeon to announce the establishment of the Meta-Touch Convergence Research Center. The event featured various programs such as progress reports on the center, meetings of researchers, hanging of signs and visits to research sites. The event was attended by over 50 key figures, including representatives from the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and the National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST).
With support from the NST, the Convergence Research Center for Meta-Touch will invest KRW 39 billion in the development of haptic standards and haptic systems by 2029 to create a hyperrealistic metaverse. The KRISS-led center, with KAIST and ETRI as main organizers, will carry out five convergence research projects. Participating universities include Sungkyunkwan University, Korea National University of Transportation, Ajou University, Pohang University of Science and Technology and Kyung Hee University.
Traditional metaverse environments that focus on audiovisual technologies have limitations in improving realism and immersion because they do not reflect the physical contact that occurs in real life. Alternatively, haptic interfaces that enable natural interactions in the virtual world are currently gaining attention as an essential technology for the hyperrealistic metaverse.
The development of devices that can measure and display tactile sensations is still at an early stage compared to hearing aids. Due to the monopoly of basic haptic interaction technologies by certain countries, including the United States of America, and the lack of appropriate standards, game or metaverse developers develop technologies that are limited to specific haptic devices. This leads to a reduction in device compatibility and a restriction in market entry.
The Convergence Research Center for Meta-Touch aims to address these issues by establishing haptic standards and developing powerful haptic devices and software. This includes materials and devices for haptic sensors, actuators that reproduce hyperrealistic tactile sensations, and rendering technology for hyperrealistic haptic experiences. Their ultimate goal is to organically integrate these technologies to create a combined haptic system that enhances immersion in metaverse and gaming environments.
The center will act as an interim organization and will disband once its research goals have been achieved. Researchers from the 12 participating institutions will collaborate at KRISS headquarters to maximize research efficiency and return to their respective organizations upon completion of the project.
Dr. Min Seok Kim, head of the Meta-Touch Convergence Research Center, said: “By securing basic technologies for haptic interaction and leading related standard technologies, we will improve national competitiveness in the metaverse industry and contribute to the concern of the haptic market . Our goal is to achieve outstanding results by collaborating with various industries, universities and research institutes.”
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As the National Metrology Institute (NMI) of Korea, founded in 1975, KRISS (Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science) has developed measurement standards technology and played a crucial role in bringing Korea’s major industries to global levels.