Chinese technology company Dexta Robotics has unveiled a new product that promises to revolutionise virtual reality – a wearable exoskeleton hand making it possible for users to physically touch things in a digital world.

Dubbed Dexmo, the futuristic glove can communicate with VR items, simulating the feel of virtual objects using haptic feedback as though the user is touching or holding the items with their hands.



Haptic feedback is rare to the VR market currently as it uses dynamic force to simulate the shape and density of objects. As a result, Dexmo is thought to be the most advanced version of hand interaction technology for VR to date. HTC's Vive and Oculus’ upcoming Oculus Touch – which use a combination of buttons and movement to control functionality – are other variations on the technology.

According to Dexta, its technology can do things such as “simulate the clicky sensation of a button or trigger” or “simulate the shape of a doorknob and allow you to grasp and turn.”

Dexmo has gone through more than 20 prototypes since its inception in 2014, raising US$55,000 (€48,600, £41,600) through Kickstarter before ultimately being cancelled. Dexta revived the concept this year however, unveiling its working model which is compatible with headsets such as Oculus, HTC Vive, Playstation VR, Hololens, and potentially any other AR/VR headsets.