Touchable Cooled Graphics: Midair 3D Image with Noncontact Cooling Feedback using Ultrasound-Driven Mist Vaporization

Adding tactile feedback to a midair image realizes immersive mixed reality contents. In this study, we develop a midair 3D image with a noncontact cooling sensation using ultrasound. In this system, users can feel a cooling sensation when touching the 3D image with their bare hands. The noncontact cooling sensation is rapidly displayed by ultrasound-driven mist vaporization. In the previous ultrasound haptic-optic display, only mechanical tactile feedback e.g. vibration has been used. The cooling sensation can extend the displayable material texture of the ultrasound haptic system. In the demo, we present a 3D image of ice. Participants can touch the image freely and feel its realistic cooling sensation.