In Aldous Huxley’sBrave New World , full citizens attend the feelies — picture that allow them to find the warmth of a bear carpet or the flutter of a osculation . While it might seem as if this can only exist in the fictional populace of 2540 , researchers at MIT ’s Media Lab have make technology that might contribute this sci - fi nearer to world : Felix Heibeck , Alexis Hope , and Julie Legault developed what they call " Sensory Fiction , " a waistcoat that snarf up to an e - lector and helps readers feel what the characters in a book experience .
The vest includes networked detector and actuators , which change the reader ’s humor and environment to match the book . Sensory Fiction has 150 programmable LEDs to change lighting , sound to make ambient noise , a warming twist to tempt trunk temperature , sensors to produce vibration to quicken or dull heart pace , and a compression system to curtail the chest . These workplace in concert to influence the reader ’s feelings . When a fibre becomes panic-struck , for example , the singlet increases the heart charge per unit and restricts the chest so the reader experiences the touch of reverence , too .
Theytested their technologywithThe Girl Who Was Plugged Inby James Tiptree .
SENSORY FICTIONfromFelixonVimeo .
On the Sensory Fiction website , the investigator write , “ Traditionally , fiction creates and induce emotion and empathy through countersign and images . By using a combination of networked detector and actuators , the Sensory Fiction author is allow for with new mean value of carry plot , climate , and emotion while still allowing space for the reader ’s imagination . These tool can be wielded to create an immersive storytelling experience tailored to the reader . ”
They also admit that while they ’re excited that the prototype works , they have no design to mass produce Sensory Fiction . They call up of it merely as a direction to spark disputation .
