The University of Utah will be helping explore uses for a haptic, or touch-based, computer mouse that will allow operators to "feel" texture through their computers.

The device, developed Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute uses magnetic levitation and a doughnut-shaped mouse to give users "highly realistic experience."

"We can create complete three-dimensional worlds with a computer mouse that basically floats in the air," says developer Ralph Hollis. "If the object you are controlling hits another object, you feel it back in your hand."

The haptic interface has potential for use in remote operation of robots, medical training and engineering design. CMU is delivering the equipment to an international consortium of researchers, including the UofU, Standord, Purdue and Cornell, to expand the technology.

Why waste time with industrial and medical applications? I foresee a kick-butt version of Halo!