Entrim 4D

First introduced by Samsung at the SXSW festival in Texas, Entrim 4D headphones give users a sensation of movement by tricking the body with specific electric messages to a nerve in the ear. They fit in with Samsung's Gear VR headset, making it more competitive with the likes of HTC Vive and Oculus Rift.

Features

The technology behind Entrim 4D headphones is called Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation or GVS. It works by activating the vestibular apparatus, which, in each ear, includes the utricle, saccule, and three semicircular canals. This apparatus is responsible for processing information about motion, equilibrium, and spatial orientation.

Electrical signals—like the ones used to help restore balance in stroke patients—are delivered via headphones equipped with electrodes that correspond with movement data input by engineers. Users thus feel as if they are a part of the on-screen action, and can also sense direction and speed of movement. And, when paired with the team’s Drone FPV, which utilizes data from the drone’s motion sensors, they can even feel like they are flying. In this regard, Entrim 4D aims to create an unrivaled entertainment experience, removing the need for expensive 4D motion chairs.

“Virtual reality shouldn’t be experienced only with the eyes,” says Steve Jung, Creative Leader of the project. “With Entrim 4D, we hope that people can experience VR the way it was meant to be—with their whole bodies.”

In its press release Samsung says that the team behind Entrim 4D also hopes that the device will help fix one of the major pain points of virtual reality: motion sickness. The company says Entrim is still in the development phase. There is currently no information on pricing or availability.

Hardware

The headset looks like a regular pair of headphones but contains electrodes that correspond with movement data input by engineers, thus generating physical responses to on-screen events.

Apps

Entrim 4D was showcased with a demo of a car racing around a track.

Developer

The Entrim 4D team, made up of an eclectic mix of hardware professionals, software engineers and biomedical engineering experts, have conducted experiments on more than 1,500 people and developed 30 different movement patterns.

Background

Entrim 4D is a project of Samsung Electronics' C-Lab, an innovation program that helps company employees to nurture their own creative business ideas. The team working on the experimental accessory is made up of a mix of hardware professionals, software engineers and biomedical engineering experts.

It was introduced by a team of representatives at the Samsung Developer Conference 2016 (SDC 2016), and later showcased at the Moscone West Center from April 27 to 28 in San Francisco.

History

• March 13, 2016 - Samsung showcased Entrim 4D at SXSW 2016, Stand 1710 in Exhibit Hall 2 of the Austin Convention Center.
• April 27-28, 2016 - Entrim 4D was introduced by a team of representatives at the Samsung Developer Conference 2016 (SDC 2016).