According to a recent study by the National Research Group, while most consumers are eagerly anticipating the metaverse, 78 percent agree with the statement, “when interacting with people virtually, I miss the ability to physically touch and interact with them.” Emerge plans to remedy this with the Emerge Home system.
The Emerge Home system consists of three primary components; the Emerge Wave-1, the Emerge Home social virtual experience, and the Emerge Home mobile app. However, it’s the Emerge Wave-1 that is bringing touch to the metaverse. The Emerge Wave-1 is a tabletop device that allows users to use their bare hands as controllers. By emitting ultrasonic waves, the device lets users feel and interact with the metaverse.
“Emerge represents what we hope could be a next paradigm shift in human interaction,” Sly Lee, Co-CEO and co-founder of Emerge, was quoted in a press release, “Emerge Home’s goal is to take people beyond the screen and allow them to connect emotionally in a natural way, no matter the distance between them.”
Emerge Home and the Metaverse Market
The metaverse is a burgeoning market and many famous brands from various industries are working to secure a foothold. Accordingly, Walmart recently announced its plans to join the metaverse. Likewise, even musicians are entering the metaverse, like Evanescence, who recently joined Soundscape VR’s music-centric metaverse platform.
Emerge’s goal is to allow users to feel the virtual world without gloves or other wearables. The Emerge Wave-1 creates a mid-air field that users can interact with. Additionally, the field can span up to three feet above the devices and 120 degrees around it. The device will be available via Kickstarter in February 2022, with a retail value of $499.
“Emerge Home is the first step in a broader journey to create a new language of touch in the virtual world,” said Isaac Castro, co-CEO and co-founder of Emerge, “We are starting with virtual reality today and exploring other interfaces in the near future.”
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
