Virtual reality gloves (datagloves)
Such gloves are equipped with sensors that make it possible to track the movements of hands and fingers. Technically, this can be accomplished in a variety of ways: using fiber optic cables, strain gauge or piezoelectric sensors, and electromechanical devices (such as potentiometers).8 For example, researchers from EPFL and ETH Zurich have developed ultralight gloves (weighing less than 8 grams per finger and only 2 mm thick). They provide “extremely realistic haptic feedback and can be battery-powered, allowing unprecedented freedom of movement.”
Virtual Reality Suit
This suit is supposed to track changes in the user’s entire body position and transmit tactile, temperature and vibration sensations and, when combined with a helmet, visual and auditory sensations.
Smells and Tastes
We have been working on odor synthesis for years, but the results are still far from being widely used. We cannot yet speak of any significant achievements in the field of gustatory sensations transmission.
Control devices
In order to interact with virtual environment we use special joysticks (gamepads, wands), that contain built-in position and motion sensors, as well as buttons and scroll wheels, just like a mouse. Nowadays such joysticks are more and more often made wirelessly.
The aforementioned information gloves and virtual reality suits can also be used as control devices.