Haptic Audio Vest Technology: Immersive Experience with Woojer Vest 3
The Woojer Vest 3 presents an interesting opportunity to anyone in search of the best accessories for virtual or mixed reality. Promising next-level haptic feedback, this vest brings the sense of touch into XR like never before, responding to even the tiniest sounds in VR apps. It doesn’t solve the issues associated with VR motion sickness as well as an omnidirectional treadmill, or enhance clarity like a custom set of prescription lenses, but it could definitely make your XR sessions more immersive.
Though it’s primarily targeted at consumers who want more captivating experiences in games, videos, and movies, this technology also holds value in the enterprise market. After all, haptic feedback can make a huge difference to training sessions. With a new “Made for Meta” option set to arrive alongside the launch of the upcoming Meta Quest 3S, it's a perfect time to put this haptic vest to the test.
Woojer Vest 3: Overview and Specs
Described as a “marvel of human engineering” the Woojer Vest 3 is a haptic feedback suit that forms part of Woojer’s “3” collection. It’s packed with the latest haptic technology, using Osci TRX2 transducers and six independent oscillators to deliver powerful, accurate vibrations. It also comes with a handy integrated control panel, so you can adjust your experience while you’re wearing the best, based on your specific needs.
Although this vest is obviously a great option for gamers and film enthusiasts, it has other benefits too. It can help audio professionals create unique sound experiences. Plus, it’d be a great training accessory for people in the law enforcement and military space, in particular. Although, it is worth noting that this accessory isn’t exactly cheap. You’ll pay around $500 for the current model - although there’s always a chance that the Woojer vest designed for the Meta Quest 3S will be a little more affordable - if Woojer wants to attract budget conscious users. Still, for the price, you do get a great overall product.
Design and Comfort
Let’s start with probably the most important part of this review: the design. Haptic body suits - at least the ones I’ve tried in the past, are often bulky and uncomfortable. The Woojer Vest 3 definitely isn’t a lightweight product you’ll want to wear for hours at a time. Thanks to all the built-in technology, the vest is pretty stiff, and it weighs a hefty 3lbs, which can start to be a problem after an hour or two. Add in various wires and cables for the different connections you’ll need, and things start to feel pretty cluttered.
Still, compared to some older bodysuits, this one does have some advantages in terms of comfort. Its slim, streamlined design is intended to follow the contours of your body for a more tailored fit. It can also easily adapt to your body’s shape when you’re sitting or standing. I also appreciated the fabric’s breathability on this suit, and the fact that it doesn’t cover your entire torso, so you’re less likely to overheat during intense gaming or training sessions. Integrated fan systems might have improved the comfort a little, but it would also mean adding more weight and complexity to the suit, so I can see why Woojer has avoided this route. Overall, while there’s room for improvement, the design is still quite impressive.
The Haptic Experience: Powerful Feedback
Woojer has definitely delivered in terms of haptic feedback with the Vest 3. It doesn’t just issue small vibrations in random places throughout your body. This suit comes with six independently operating oscillators strategically placed throughout the vest. Plugged into your XR applications, these oscillators sense where to issue feedback based on what’s happening in your VR content. For instance, if you were using a military training app and a virtual bullet was fired into your side, that’s where you’d feel a vibration.
The vest is also excellent at adjusting the intensity of the vibrations, and how long they last based on what’s actually happening in your application. It converts sounds into vibrations. So, for example, if you were a firefighter learning how to navigate a burning building in VR, rubble falling close to you would create stronger vibrations than something falling a few feet away. When it was first introduced, the vest was a little limited in terms of unique vibration profiles for different applications. However, Woojer released a software update allowing developers to create dedicated vibration profiles for specific experiences.
When the “Made for Meta” version is released for the Meta Quest 3S, it’ll be interesting to see if Woojer updates the overall haptic experience. In the meantime, I do think, at least for enterprise users, this vest would work better when paired with a set of haptic gloves for a more “full body” immersive experience-ideal for training.
Ease of Use and Functionality
You shouldn’t have too much trouble getting the Woojer Vest 3 set up and paired with your headset. However, it is worth noting that the vest doesn’t support every headset, so make sure you check the compatibility options before you invest. While you can connect the vest to your devices via Bluetooth, if you want to minimize the risk of lag, the best option is to use one of the integrated physical jacks. This creates a bit of an issue with comfort, particularly if you’re going to be using various wired connections for your PC, headset, and any headphones you want to use.
Still, it’s better than dealing with Bluetooth’s potential latency. Plus, I found that some Bluetooth connections didn’t work as well as I would have hoped. Your vest might not recognize all of your wireless devices instantly, making setup a little more complex. Once you have everything configured, the fully integrated control panel is handy. It has a series of tactile buttons and separate options for things like sensing and volume control. This means you can adjust your immersive experience quickly and easily for each app.
I can definitely see why audio professionals would love this suit. It gives you an excellent way to monitor bass and sounds to sculpt more unique experiences for audiences. The configurable DSP also has selectable multi-band EQ and Hi-Cut modes, and there are various easy browser pre-sets and phase control options for flexible use of speakers and headsets.
Historical context
The haptic vest technology has evolved significantly over the years. Here are some notable milestones:
- 1994: Aura Systems launched the Interactor Vest, a wearable force-feedback device that converts bass sound waves into vibrations.
- 2002: Francesca Rosella and Ryan Genz designed the HugShirt, a wearable haptic telecommunication device that allows a wearer to send the feeling of a hug to a distant loved one.
- 2016: The Teslasuit, a full-body haptic suit with motion capture and biometric sensors, was created.
Alternatives to Woojer Vest 3
There are several alternatives to the Woojer Vest 3, each with its unique features and capabilities:
- Aura Interactor Vest: An early example of haptic feedback technology, converting audio signals into vibrations.
- HugShirt: Designed for haptic telecommunication, allowing users to send the sensation of a hug over long distances.
- SoundShirt: Maps musical sounds to haptic sensations on different parts of the body, enhancing the experience of music and AR.
- Teslasuit: A full-body haptic suit with motion capture and biometric sensors, offering a comprehensive immersive experience.
- bHaptics TactSuit: Another full-body haptic suit designed for gaming and VR, providing detailed tactile feedback.
