Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for directing a user to modify an aspect of a vehicle via haptic output. The technique includes identifying one or more characteristics of a real-world condition located along a route of a vehicle. The technique further includes determining, based on the one or more characteristics of the real-world condition, a type of haptic sensation to deliver to a user associated with the vehicle. The technique further includes transmitting a first set of controls signals to at least one haptic output device that is proximate to the user, where the at least one haptic output device generates, based on the first set of control signals, haptic output corresponding to they type of haptic sensation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for delivering audio content to a user. The technique includes analyzing audio content to determine a frequency at which to vibrate an effector. The technique further includes configuring one or more haptic output devices to generate haptic output that generates a haptic trap proximate to the effector. The technique further includes configuring the one or more haptic output devices to modify the haptic output to cause the haptic trap to vibrate the effector at the determined frequency. The effector vibrates to transmit the audio content. In one embodiment, the effector vibrates a skull of a user.

Abstract: A drone speaker system is configured to deploy a fleet of drone speaker units. Each drone speaker unit includes a speaker configured to broadcast acoustic signals and a flight system configured to aerially transport a speaker. The drone speaker system initially generates a spatial map of a location where the drone speaker units are to be deployed. The drone speaker system then identifies suitable perching locations for the drone speaker units. Then, the drone speaker system deploys the fleet of drone speaker units to those perching locations to place one or more speakers. Once positioned in this manner, the speakers can generate a sound field. The drone speaker units may also reconfigure the speakers to achieve different sound fields having varying characteristics.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure set forth a resonator device for generating a resonance map of a surface. The resonator device includes an actuator mechanism that vibrates the surface. The resonator device further includes one or more sensors that detect a deflection of the surface responsive to the actuator mechanism vibrating the surface. The resonator device further includes a processor. The processor is configured to generate the resonance map based on the detected deflection.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for generating an interface on a resonance surface. The technique includes determining a resonance pattern corresponding to a set of interface elements. The technique further includes configuring one or more haptic output devices to generate haptic output that creates the resonance pattern on the resonance surface.

Abstract: A system for guiding a user to a target. The system includes one or more contactless haptic output devices and, optionally, one or more sensors. The system further includes a processor configured to determine that a hand is proximate to a target, and, in response to determining that the hand is proximate to the target, transmit a control signal to one or more haptic output devices, where the one or more haptic output devices generate a haptic sensation on the user's hand.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for determining the location of an object with a haptic transducer device. The technique includes configuring one or more haptic transducer devices to output a ping. The technique further includes configuring the one or more haptic transducer devices to detect a ping echo associated with the ping. The technique further includes identifying a location of an object based on the ping echo. The technique further includes configuring the one or more haptic transducer devices to generate haptic output based on the location of the object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a focus application controls ambient sounds perceived by a user. In operation, the focus application determines a focus level associated with the user based on a biometric signal associated with the user. The focus application then determines an ambient awareness level based on the focus level. Subsequently, the focus application modifies at least one characteristic of an ambient sound perceived by the user based on the ambient awareness level.

Abstract: A wearable simulation system worn by a user outputs optical and acoustic signals that cause the user to perceive a simulation. The simulation may be an immersive virtual world or, alternatively, an augmentation to the real world. The wearable simulation system also captures acoustic and optical signals from the environment around the user and then selectively incorporates these signals into the simulation. Accordingly, the user may perceive the environment to a limited extent, while still remaining engaged with the simulation. At least one advantage of the disclosed techniques is that the wearable simulation system does not completely interfere with user perception of the environment, thereby reducing the risk of the user missing important real-world events or being otherwise unaware of such real-world events.

Abstract: A drone speaker system is configured to deploy a fleet of drone speaker units. Each drone speaker unit includes a speaker configured to broadcast acoustic signals and a flight system configured to aerially transport a speaker. The drone speaker system initially generates a spatial map of a location where the drone speaker units are to be deployed. The drone speaker system then identifies suitable perching locations for the drone speaker units. Then, the drone speaker system deploys the fleet of drone speaker units to those perching locations to place one or more speakers. Once positioned in this manner, the speakers can generate a sound field. The drone speaker units may also reconfigure the speakers to achieve different sound fields having varying characteristics.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a personalization application provides emotionally personalized audio content to co-located users. In operation, the personalization application acquires first personalized audio content for a first user based on an emotional state associated with the first user. The personalization application then causes a first audio device associated with the first user to output the first audio content. In addition, the personalization application causes a second audio device associated with a second user that is co-located with the first user to output second audio content while the first audio devices outputs the first audio content. Notably, the second audio content is different from the first audio content.

Abstract: A computing system comprises a memory including instructions and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor, when executing the instructions, is configured to perform the steps of mapping, to a robotic speaker, a sound associated with a virtual object included in a virtual environment, transmitting information to the robotic speaker to cause the robotic speaker to move to a location in a physical environment that corresponds to a location of the virtual object in the virtual environment, and transmitting an audio signal to the robotic speaker. The robotic speaker outputs, based on the audio signal and at the location in the physical environment, the sound associated with the virtual object.