Aura Interactor
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Aura Interactor Virtual Reality Game Wear
| logo =
| image = 275px
| caption = An Aura Interactor force-feedback vest on display
| developer = Aura Systems, Inc.
| manufacturer = Aura Systems, Inc.
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| type = Video game console peripheral
| generation = Fourth generation
| releasedate = {{vgrelease|US|September 5, 1994}}
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| price = $100
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| media = Input device
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| related = SNES, Sega Genesis, Sega CD
}}
The Aura Interactor is a wearable force-feedback device developed by Aura Systems{{cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1994/08/27/electronic-vest-adds-a-chest-full-of-thrills-to-video-games/ |title=Electronic vest adds a chest full of thrills to video games |date=27 August 1994 |publisher=Baltimore Sun |access-date=12 May 2016}} that monitors an audio signal and uses Aura's patented electromagnetic actuator technology to convert low frequency audio information into vibrations that can represent actions such as a punch or kick. It was compatible with the Super NES and Sega Genesis.{{cite magazine|title=Feel the Action! |url=https://archive.org/details/Captron_GG_Stores_U |magazine=Captron G&G Stores |date=1994 |page=[https://archive.org/details/Captron_GG_Stores_U/page/n14 15]}} It is the first commercially available haptic suit, released on September 5, 1994.{{Citation required|date=August 2022}}
Development
Inspired by the movie theater sound system Sensurround, EOR technology developer [http://LarryShultz.com Larry Shultz], then Aura's VP of Audio and Video Technologies, fantasized about what it would be like if a person could "feel" the video game, and not just hear it. Shultz, along with Cipora Lavut and Jeff Bluen, led a dedicated team at Aura in inventing the Interactor.{{Citation required|date=August 2022}}
Aura signed a deal with Acclaim to promote Mortal Kombat II. In addition to inclusion in Aura's $5,000,000 advertising campaign, Acclaim put Interactor cards in the Mortal Kombat II game boxes and Aura packed Acclaim information in its Interactor packaging. Also as part of the deal, Acclaim programmed special audio cues into the game code which would trigger responses from the Interactor.{{cite magazine|title=Aura in Kombat|magazine=GamePro |issue=64 |publisher=International Data Group |date=November 1994 |page=275}}
Aura also signed a deal with Williams Entertainment to do "strategic marketing" in relation to Williams's releases, Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls and Troy Aikman NFL Football. Aura and Williams swapped the same kind of promotional opportunities that Aura and Acclaim did.
Reception
The Interactor received an "Innovation 94" Design and Engineering Award from the Electronics Industry Association.[https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/008524608 Proliferation Threats and Missile Defense Responses, United States. Congress. House. Committee On National Security. Subcommittee On Military., 1997] Electronic Gaming Monthly commented, "For $100, the Interactor is a good value. It provides economy-sized virtual reality in a small package."{{cite magazine|title=Aura's Interactor - VR at its Vest |url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_63_October_1994_U |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=63 |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=October 1994 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_63_October_1994_U/page/n68 56]–60}} GamePro stated, "If droppin' a C-note is no bother to you, the Aura Interactor serves its purpose."{{cite magazine|title=GamePro Labs: A Player's Guide to Power Peripherals |magazine=GamePro |issue=63 |publisher=IDG |date=October 1994 |page=162}} The device was found to work well with VR i-Glasses plugged in.{{cite magazine|title=Unreal Estate |url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicEntertainment19Jul1995/page/n45 |magazine=Electronic Entertainment |issue=19 |publisher=IDG |date=July 1995 |page=42}}