Back in 2012 we featured Revel, an innovative research project that used electrical charges to add or enhance textures on any conductible 2D or 3D object or surface.
One of the masterminds behind the project at Disney Research, Ivan Popuyrev, has now teamed up with University of Illinois PhD student Rajinder Sodhi to design a new, sci-fi sensory experience. Akin to Microsoft Kinect technology, the duo created Aireal, a device that allows users to tangibly feel invisible objects and textures in midair, without the use of gloves or special controllers.
The device is a relatively simple concept -  an air vortex generator directed by an actuated flexible nozzlefires low frequencies to form donut-like vortices. These move at different speeds to create different textures and shapes, which, on impact with a user's skin, impart a force that can be felt.
From the experience of birds flying around your head, to clutching an invisible butterfly in your hands, AERIAL has a broad range of applications ranging from gaming to mobile and gesture interaction. Like Revel, its another exciting development into haptic technology and sensory interaction. Check out the video above for more information.