A new handheld device has been developed that lets users feel heat, cold and even pain in virtual reality* and augmented reality*.

Thermoreal is a slim, flexible thermo-electric* device that can rapidly heat up or cool down in response to virtual environments. The device simulates pain by generating both heat and cold in different areas on the same surface, creating the sensation of a pinch. The hardware could one day be incorporated into joysticks, gloves, chairs, haptic* suits and more.

It covers a temperature range of 4-40 degrees Celsius and can even spread heat changes slowly across the device to simulate* the feeling of slowly dipping into an ice pool or inching* past a bonfire.

Thermoreal was developed by TEGway in South Korea.

(SD-Agencies)