This VR Bodysuit Electrocutes You So You Can Feel Something

Image via Teslasuit

Although convincing, today’s virtual reality still somewhat feels like an out-of-body experience because you can’t really feel what you see. The coming of the metaverse, however, seems to have fueled a new tier of projects aimed to bring tactility to VR. There are now prototypes that control breathing, and even simulate kisses and physical pain, for example.

The ‘Teslasuit’ makes feeling sensations in virtual environments a full-body experience, pretty much like in real life. One caveat: this is by electrocution. Though, you can rest easy that it won’t be a culture shock since it only delivers haptic feedback—à la the vibrations in your game controller or the response you get when you long-press an icon on your iPhone home screen. 

To be clear, Teslasuit has no affiliation with the automotive company run by Elon Musk, but it might be an innovation he can get behind. The suit is built in with 68 points of haptic feedback and 90 electrodes across the torso, back, and limbs to mimic sensations that your avatar would feel. Shocks are customizable from 1mA to a whopping 60mA for a hard-hitting dose of reality.

According to Futurism, the suit has been able to replicate the feel of raindrops falling onto skin, the touch of another person, and the impact of gunfire.

TechRadar’s Hamish Hector, who tested the suit at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed, was most impressed by a Formula One simulation where he drove around as Lewis Hamilton and experienced the G Forces of a race. However, he noted that most sensations weren’t exactly like in real life as they felt more “static” and “electrical.”

Luckily, you won’t have to feel punches rammed into your gut in the virtual version of WWF just yet. Instead of gaming applications, the Teslasuit is designed with medical rehabilitation and athlete training in mind. As such, biometrics are its greatest strength, and it’s able to detect the wearer’s body temperature, heart rate, and oxygen levels to adjust itself for comfort.

Not to mention, the bodysuit is not for the masses, with only 10 currently available at US$20,000 a pop.

[via Giant Freakin Robot, SlashGear, Futurism, TechRadar, cover image via Teslasuit]