Exoskeleton Dexmo Glove Lets Users Hold Virtual Objects and Remotely Operate Robotic Hands

An exoskeleton glove that enables interaction with digital worlds through virtual reality systems such as the Oculus Rift has been developed by a Chinese robotics firm.

Two versions of the Dexmo glove have been built by Dexta Robotics, serving two different methods of bringing robotics together with virtual reality (VR).

The Dexmo Classic captures the wearer's hand motion in order to control remote robotic hands for sensitive tasks such as bomb disposal.

The Dexmo F2 provides mechanical and haptic feedback to the wearer to allow them to feel an object in a digital world.

"With Dexmo F2, we can take VR to its next level," Dexta Robotics states on the product's web page. "It adds a sense of touch to gaming and now you can feel the size of a digital object.

"You can interact with the digital world more naturally, without the limit of space since Dexmo is wireless."

Beyond gaming, the company claims that the exoskeleton gloves can be used in a variety of situations, including translating sign languages, music production (much like Imogen Heap), interactive art, as well as for medical training purposes.

The developers warn that the device cannot yet be used to gauge an object's softness as it only provides digital force feedback, meaning on and off only.

Dexta Robotics have taken to Kickstarter to fund the Dexmo project, offering backers the Dexmo Classic development kit for $65 (£40, €50).

So far more than $40,000 has been raised towards the company's $200,000 target, with 262 backers pledging their support.