At the Museo della Scienza in Milan the first escape game with tactile feedback gloves.
For the first time in Italy the general public will be able to experience tactile feedback gloves in a playful context. The National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci in Milan has just launched “The Touch”, an escape game that blends virtual reality and aptical stimulation (the technology that allows you to “feel” and interact with the digital world through touch) to make a Martian exploration experience live.
The protagonist technology are the Pro touchdiver gloves developed by Weart, an Italian startup. These are devices that transmit physical resistance, textures and temperature of virtual objects through six points of implementation on the fingers and the palm of the hand. Combined with a Meta Quest 3 viewer, they allow you to “touch” the red planet really.
The experience, set in 2040, involves four players in the role of a team of astronauts engaged in the exploration of the Jezero crater (yes, just where there is the Rover Perseverance). A participant wears a viewer and aptic gloves becoming the astronaut that collects champions, while the other three interpret experts who analyze tactile materials and operational manuals. The goal: to find out if Mars has ever hosted life, collaborating to solve scientific puzzles in just 30 minutes.
The contents were developed with the contribution of the planetary geologist Nicola Mari to guarantee scientific accuracy. The virtual rover is modeled on the NASA prototype for the Artemis program, while the laboratory tools reproduce the real ones for the analysis of Martian champions.
This happiness technology, descendant of the first “Data Glove” by Jaron Lanier of the 80s, now finds applications ranging from training to sensory rehabilitation, opening new frontiers for immersive cultural experience.
Practical information:
- Where: National Museum Science and Technology, via San Vittore 21, Milan
- When: weekend from September 20, hours 10: 30-18: 00
- Duration: 1 hour
- Participants: 2-4 players, minimum age 16 years
- Price: 85 euros per group
- Reservations: on Fever from 4 September
