TX veterans first to test cyber rehab system

Twenty-five Dallas-area veterans will be the first to try cutting-edge rehabilitation technology designed to transmit sensations of physical touch over the Internet, researchers at the University of Dallas say. The Austin American-Statesman reports that the researchers are leading the initial six-month trials, which start next month. The project seeks to provide enhanced access to physical therapy for disabled veterans who can't commute to the doctor's office. It combines recent advances in 3-D cameras, high-speed Internet connections, video game engines and the field of "haptic," or sense-of-touch, technology, which uses a variety of vibrations, tactile sensors and the application of force to the user to re-create the sensation of touch.