Japanese researcher's 'force transceiver' transmits sense of touch

A Japanese researcher yesterday unveiled an invention that instantly and wirelessly transmits force between two devices, in a development that could allow physical therapists to treat patients remotely.

Kouhei Ohnishi said his "force transceiver" allowed instant two-way communication of the amount of pressure being applied and the resistance it was encountering.

If applied to a robot, for example, it would mean an operator could use the device to carry out complex work in areas where it was not safe for people to be, such as in high temperatures or radiation.

"For physical therapy, the feeling and movement of therapists must be transferred without any delay," Ohnishi said. "The therapist will also be able to feel how well the patient's limbs are moving, for example, which is a key piece of information."

The technology should help reduce the burden on medical care providers while increasing convenience for patients, said Ohnishi, a system design engineering professor at Keio University.

The technology could also amplify or diminish the force being applied, he said.