Distance will not be a problem: people will be able to touch each other while in different cities

Scientists presented their new creation, which will not only be able to bring virtual interactions to a new level, but also to make a revolution in medicine. Their device is able to convey the feeling of touch even to people who lose sensitivity.

Researchers at University College London (UCL) have developed an unusual technology that could revolutionize the way people experience touch at a distance. This can help a number of people who have faced the emotional pressure of a long-distance relationship due to forced separation, writes The Independent.

The innovative bio-inspired haptic system, known as BAMH, mimics human touch by using vibrations to stimulate nerve cells that respond to tactile sensations. This achievement opens up opportunities not only for improving virtual social interaction, but also for significant applications in health care and hazardous industrial conditions, according to its authors.

The BAMH device consists of a silicone fingertip connected to a device about the size of a small suitcase. This setup is able to mimic the natural sensation of touch by affecting four key sensory nerve cells in the skin. Dr Sara Abad, a roboticist from UCL's Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and author of the study published in the journal Nature Communications, emphasized the importance of skin as an organ that provides important information about texture, edges and types of stimuli such as vibrations.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

Dr. Abad noted that this technology could bridge the gap in virtual social interaction, which became particularly evident during the pandemic when physical touch was absent from video calls, which had a detrimental effect on the psychological health of isolated people. In addition to its potential to improve virtual interaction, BAMH is being studied for its diagnostic use in health care.

The device may prove particularly useful for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, which compresses a nerve in the wrist, or for those with diabetes, which often leads to loss of sensitivity to touch. The researchers plan to conduct clinical trials involving at least ten people who experience sensory loss to understand how touch sensitivity deteriorates over time.

Professor Helge Wuerdemann, head of UCL's robotics department, said the data collected could help doctors find therapies that slow the progression of touch loss. BAMH technology is also promising in other fields not related to health care. Researchers are exploring its use in robotic surgery, where it could allow doctors to better assess the type of tissue they're working with, especially when detecting cancerous tumors.

In addition, the device could play an important role in safely nuclear waste decommissioning, where a realistic sense of touch is critical to sorting materials. This development in tactile technology was showcased at the British Science Festival at the University of East London, signaling its readiness to enter wider scientific and public discourse in the near future. As technology develops, it can not only change the way people communicate over long distances, but also improve safety and precision in medicine and industry.