pressAR

Redefining Touch and Force Sensing for Mixed Reality

In an era where Mixed Reality (MR) and Augmented Reality (AR) systems are redefining digital interaction, one critical challenge remains: how to sense precise and consistent touch on physical surfaces. While head-mounted displays (HMDs) and MR systems excel in spatial tracking and gesture recognition, they often fall short in detecting nuanced input like the moment of contact or applied pressure. pressAR addresses this gap with a novel, vision-based sensing system that uses standard cameras to detect touch and force with unparalleled accuracy—all without requiring additional instrumentation of the user or environment.

The Problem: Missing Precision in MR Touch Interactions

Touch sensing in MR systems is complex. Existing approaches rely heavily on instrumentation, such as capacitive surfaces, mechanical sensors, or wearables. These methods are often impractical for large-scale deployment due to cost, maintenance, or compatibility issues.

Key challenges in touch sensing for MR include:

  • Haptic Consistency: Differentiating between a user’s finger resting on a surface and actively pressing.
  • Temporal Accuracy: Capturing the exact moment of contact to ensure reliable and responsive interaction.
  • Scalability: Deploying solutions that work across uninstrumented surfaces without obtrusive hardware.

pressAR solves these challenges by leveraging the ubiquitous presence of IR and RGB cameras in MR devices to deliver robust, scalable, and accurate touch and force sensing.

How pressAR Works: Vision-Based Touch Detection

pressAR combines imaging technology with advanced signal processing to sense touch and applied force on any surface. The system operates with three key components:

1. Hardware

  • Standard IR and RGB cameras, commonly found in MR and AR headsets.
  • No need for additional external sensors, making the system cost-effective and easily deployable.

2. Signal Processing Pipeline

  • Detects subtle changes in the user’s hand and fingers when they interact with a surface.
  • Differentiates between a light touch, a firm press, and mid-air gestures by analyzing musculoskeletal changes and surface deformations.

3. Force and Touch Differentiation

  • Measures the precise moment of contact, ensuring consistent input across a variety of surfaces.
  • Captures depth and force parameters to distinguish intentional actions from accidental touches.

By avoiding physical instrumentation, pressAR extends the interaction capabilities of MR systems without compromising on portability or usability.

Applications: Extending the Possibilities of MR and AR

pressAR unlocks new possibilities in Mixed Reality, enabling seamless interaction across diverse scenarios:

  1. Mixed Reality Workspaces
    • Detect forceful presses on virtual buttons overlaid on physical desks or walls, enabling seamless integration between digital and physical worlds.
  2. Gaming and Entertainment
    • Allow players to interact with immersive environments by touching surfaces, pressing virtual triggers, or controlling objects with force-based gestures.
  3. Industrial Design
    • Enable designers to prototype digital interfaces directly on physical objects, sensing precise touch and pressure for intuitive manipulation.
  4. Education and Training
    • Simulate realistic scenarios where touch and force are critical, such as medical training or mechanical assembly tasks.

Challenges and Engineering Innovations

Developing pressAR required overcoming key technical hurdles:

  1. Ambient Light Variability
    • Ensuring accurate sensing across diverse lighting conditions required robust algorithms that filter environmental noise.
  2. Occlusion and Field of View
    • Designing sensing techniques that work even when parts of the hand or surface are occluded from the camera’s view.
  3. Temporal Precision
    • Achieving millisecond-level accuracy to capture the exact moment of touch and applied pressure.

These challenges were met through a combination of high-resolution imaging, real-time signal processing, and machine learning algorithms tailored to MR interaction.

A Vision for the Future of Interaction

pressAR bridges the gap between the physical and digital worlds, transforming any surface into an interactive space. By providing reliable, scalable, and precise touch and force sensing, it redefines what’s possible in MR systems. From gaming to industrial applications, pressAR demonstrates how thoughtful engineering can unlock new dimensions of interaction.

In a world where AR and MR interfaces continue to expand, pressAR offers a glimpse into the future: a reality where every surface can become a tool for precise, seamless, and intuitive interaction.