Samsung Electronics today announced that Dr. Bongsu Shin (co-first author) at Samsung Research¹ published a paper titled “Actuating Compact Wearable Augmented Reality Devices by Multifunctional Artificial Muscle” in the world-renowned journal ‘Nature Communications.’

This project was carried out in partnership with the Ajou University’s team of Mechanical Engineering, led by Professor Je-Sung Koh (corresponding author) based in Korea. The joint research team developed an artificial muscle actuator that can be applied on augmented reality (AR) glasses and naturally fit haptic gloves.

With the increasing popularity of the metaverse, actuator and sensor technologies are evolving rapidly to create even more immersive experience in virtual worlds. Actuators and sensors integrated into wearable devices must be compact and lightweight as the devices are worn by users and often require mobility. The conventional actuator had certain limitations as to the realization of more advanced functionalities, as thin form factor and high-power density would be difficult for conventional types to achieve.

The research team suggests an artificial muscle actuator that resolves the challenges in practical engineering, which are limited to conventional types such as electromagnetic actuators. An artificial muscle actuator can function as a small-scale, high-power actuating system with a sensing capability for developing wearable devices such as multi-focus AR glasses and naturally fit haptic gloves. The research team designed a shape memory alloy (SMA)-based lightweight and high-power artificial muscle actuator, the so-called compliant amplified SMA actuator (CASA). The newly developed version is lightweight (0.22g) but durable enough to lift a weight that is 800 times heavier than itself.

“This new actuator that we suggest is lightweight, compact yet powerful in terms of force-to-weight ratio. It is significant that the new actuator has overcome the limitations of the conventional actuators, while bringing the potential for its expanded applications ranging from robotics to wearable devices,” Dr. Bongsu Shin at Samsung Research said. “We anticipate that the outcome of our latest research will be the core hardware technology for more immersive and interactive experience for the next generation.” 

The team also demonstrated how the actuator enables image depth control. Binary depth switching is adopted to reduce vergence accommodation conflict (VAC), which can cause visual fatigue to some of AR glasses users, by directly adjusting distance between the display and the optical system of the AR glasses prototype based on the focusing distance of the object to be projected.

Furthermore, non-vibrating mechanotactile outputs are important to generate natural and expressive tactile sensations on skin through haptic devices. To convey the sensation of a large skin deformation, haptic devices require actuators with a high force-to-weight ratio and a large displacement. Combining multiple actuators in the limited area of the haptic device prototype also enables more expressive tactile experiences.

CASA triggers an action to an object with pressure and measures pressure without a sensor by using a characteristic of the artificial muscle of which electrical resistance varies in response to outside pressure. The haptic glove prototype equipped with CASA is so slim and pressure-sensitive that it has the potential to be applied to telehaptics which recognizes expressions made by the tactile writing system and converts them into electric signals.

¹ Samsung Research, acting as Samsung Electronics’ advanced R&D hub, leads the development of future technologies for the company’s Device eXperience (DX) Division.

Nicknamed “Samsung city”, the company’s booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center is packed with innovations that bring its “Together for tomorrow” vision to life. From new Bespoke Home appliances to lifestyle-catered displays, to the latest addition to the Galaxy family, there’s just so much to see in Samsung city.

Check out the photos below for a peek at the exciting future that Samsung is showcasing.

Welcome to Samsung City

Samsung’s CES 2022 booth showcases products, technologies and initiatives that are helping the company realize its “Together for tomorrow” vision.

Before heading inside, CES attendees register to enter Samsung’s booth at designated kiosks.

Taking Connected Home Experiences to the Next Level

An exhibit demonstrates how seamless connectivity enables Samsung devices to team up to simplify home management.

Screens Everywhere, Screens for All

CES attendees admire MICRO LED’s best-in-class picture quality, made possible thanks to 25 million micrometer-sized LEDs that individually produce both light and color.

Samsung’s newest MICRO LED is available in a choice of three sizes: 89, 101 and 110 inches.

Samsung’s 2022 Neo QLED lights up the booth with vibrant visuals – and attracts a crowd in the process.

Samsung’s new portable screen, The Freestyle, was designed to allow users to transform any space into a screen.

The Freestyle hangs over a dining table, projecting playful animations in which tiny characters rush to deliver 2D meals to 3D plates.

“Game on”: An exhibit invites attendees to experience how The Odyssey Ark, a new 55-inch curved gaming screen, takes immersion to the next level.

A cardboard tree and other creations highlight the expansion of Samsung’s award-winning Eco-Packaging program.

Make Your Home Your Own With Bespoke

Samsung’s Bespoke lineup of home appliances now features a wider variety of customizable devices, including French Door refrigerators, ranges, and over-the-range microwaves.

The Bespoke Home lineup also includes vacuum cleaners and air purifiers.

Adding More Choices and Colors to the Galaxy Lineup

Visitors to Samsung’s booth take a closer look at the company’s latest mobile innovations.

The newest addition to the Galaxy family: the Galaxy S21 FE.

Attendees view a demonstration of how the Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition is customized.

Transforming Cars Into Multipurpose Spaces

An interactive exhibit showcases Samsung’s new vision for in-vehicle experiences.

The demo showcases a scenario in which information on road conditions and other factors is presented to drivers and passengers in real time.

Attendees observe how the vehicle analyzes information on the surrounding area and connects to various services to make the driving experience more enjoyable.

An attendee tests out a technology that monitors a driver’s condition and helps them relax to ensure that they have a pleasant ride.

Personalized & Intelligent Future Home

Samsung’s booth also includes a live demonstration of the new Samsung Bot i and Samsung Bot Handy.

The Samsung Bot i is an interactive robot that simplifies tasks like video conferencing.

The Samsung Bot Handy is a manipulation robot that can assist with a variety of household chores.

The video below introduces viewers to Samsung’s booth at CES 2022. At the booth, the company showcases a scenario in which information on road conditions and other factors is presented to the driver of a vehicle in real time.

In the scenario, the vehicle uses cameras and sensors to analyze its surroundings, then harnesses augmented reality to present road conditions and other information to the driver within their field of view. The driver is then able to make use of that overlaid information to ensure they enjoy a drive that is both convenient and safe.

In the enactment, the driver not only gets details on the vehicle’s speed and status, but is also provided with an arrow-based navigation service, forward collision warning icons and blind spot alerts when switching lanes. Directions, icons and insights are projected directly onto the road, as well as onto surrounding vehicles and lanes, to allow the driver to clearly and conveniently view the important information.

The vehicle in the scenario also analyzes information on the surrounding area and connects to a range of services to make the driving experience both straightforward and enjoyable. For example, if passengers want to grab a coffee, the vehicle utilizes map information and AR to inform them of where there are cafés nearby. The passenger is then given the option to navigate through the menu and place their order from the comfort of their car. The vehicle in the enactment also adds a realistic element to virtual calls by allowing users to manage their meetings with AR.

Check out the video below to learn more about what the future of in-vehicle experiences holds.

With the update, after users snap a selfie to generate their AR Emoji, they’ll be able to easily make detailed adjustments to their AR Emoji’s hair, ears and facial features. This means that, for instance, when a child creates an AR Emoji, they’ll be able to adjust the shape of their face so that it more closely mirrors their own. And if you feel like your AR Emoji’s eyes, nose, lips, cheeks or other facial features are in need of a touch-up, the new My Emoji Editor function offers simple tools to fine-tune these distinguishing characteristics.

The update also enhances AR Emoji’s face-tracking function with a 65-percent increase in ‘landmark detector’ points. This will ensure that features such as your eyes and mouth are tracked more precisely. And thanks to the update’s frame rate boost, your AR Emoji will be able to mimic your movements in a manner that’s smoother and more natural.

^*Availability may vary depending on market.

The smartphones’ camera app update, now available in the ‘My apps’ section of the Galaxy Apps store, has expanded AR Emoji’s library of pre-set expressions from 18 to 36. Samsung also plans to add 18 more expressions in the coming months, which will bring the feature’s total number of emotion-capturing sticker options to 54.

Once users have downloaded the update, they’ll be able to access and share the new AR Emoji stickers directly from the keyboard, or copy and paste them from the Gallery app into their favorite messaging platform.

Get a sense of what the new AR Emoji stickers look like in the sample conversation below.

“At Samsung, we’re constantly innovating in order to deliver smarter, connected experiences for our consumers. Now we’re taking a big step forward with our open IoT platform, intelligent ecosystem and AR capabilities,” said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “Through an extensive open collaboration with our business partners and developers, we are unlocking a gateway to an expanded ecosystem of interconnected and intelligent services that will simplify and enrich everyday life for our consumers.”

Samsung also demonstrated Project Ambience, a small dongle or chip that can be applied into a wide variety of objects, allowing them to seamlessly connect, and create a ubiquitous Bixby experience. This new concept reflects the next generation of IoT, that of the “Intelligence of Things,” which combines IoT and intelligence to make your life easier.

Democratizing the Internet of Things

Samsung is combining its existing IoT services—SmartThings, Samsung Connect, and ARTIK—into one united IoT platform: SmartThings Cloud, which will provide a single, powerful cloud-based hub that can seamlessly connect and control IoT-enabled products and services from a unified touchpoint. SmartThings Cloud will build one of the world’s largest IoT ecosystems, and will provide the infrastructure for a connected consumer experience that is innovative, versatile and holistic.

With SmartThings Cloud, developers will have access to one cloud API across all SmartThings-compatible products to build their connected solutions and bring them to more people. It will also provide secure interoperability and services for business developing commercial and industrial IoT solutions.

Next-Generation Intelligence

Samsung is moving intelligence beyond devices and into an ubiquitous, personal and open ecosystem with introduction of Bixby 2.0 with SDK, integrated with Viv technologies.

Bixby 2.0 will be available on a variety of devices including Samsung Smart TV and Family Hub refrigerator. Now, Bixby will sit at the center of consumers’ intelligent ecosystem. Bixby 2.0 will introduce deep linking capabilities, and enhanced natural language abilities—to better recognize individual users, and create a predictive, personalized experience that better anticipate their needs.

In order to build this faster, easier and more powerful intelligent assistant platform, Samsung will provide the tools to bring Bixby 2.0 into a wider number of applications and services. The Bixby SDK will be available to select developers and through a private beta program, with general availability coming in the near future.

Leadership in Augmented Reality

Building upon Samsung’s heritage of creating pioneering technology that delivers incredible experiences to unlock new realities such as VR, the company is committed to continuing to advance technologies in AR. Through a partnership with Google, developers will be able to use the ARCore SDK to bring AR to millions of Samsung consumers on the Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy Note8. This strategic partnership with Google offers new business opportunities for developers, and a new platform for creating immersive new experiences for consumers.

For more information about the Samsung Developer Conference, visit https://www.sdc2017.com or follow @samsung_dev on Twitter.