Haptic technology

About: Haptic technology is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 18818 publications have been published within this topic receiving 306713 citations. The topic is also known as: haptics & haptic media.

Muscle-propelled force feedback: bringing force feedback to mobile devices

Abstract: Force feedback devices resist miniaturization, because they require physical motors and mechanics. We propose mobile force feedback by eliminating motors and instead actuating the user's muscles using electrical stimulation. Without the motors, we obtain substantially smaller and more energy-efficient devices. We present a prototype that fits on the back of a mobile phone. It actuates users' forearm muscles via four electrodes, which causes users' muscles to contract involuntarily, so that they tilt the device sideways. As users resist this motion using their other arm, they perceive force feedback. We demonstrate the interaction at the example of an interactive videogame in which users steer an airplane through winds rendered using force feedback. In a first user study, we found our device to cause users to produce up to 18.7N of force, when used to actuate their palm flexors. In a second study, participants played the video game de-scribed above; all ten participants reported to prefer the experience of muscle-propelled force feedback to vibrotactile feedback.

HapticGEAR: the development of a wearable force display system for immersive projection displays

Abstract: Describes the design and implementation of an artificial force display for immersive projection displays (IPD) such as CAVE or CABIN. In order to give the user maximum freedom of motion in the large virtual space generated by an IPD, it is necessary to use a portable force display that is self-contained on the user's body. Therefore, we developed a wearable force display called HapticGEAR. It is a backpack-type device that transmits applied forces to the wearer by using a wire-tension mechanism. The device is designed such that it minimizes fatigue for the wearer and does not interrupt the user's motion and view. Also, we integrated the device into CABIN and experimentally evaluated both the accuracy it achieved in tracing objects and the displayed haptic sensation.

Feel Effects: Enriching Storytelling with Haptic Feedback

Abstract: Despite a long history of use in communication, haptic feedback is a relatively new addition to the toolbox of special effects. Unlike artists who use sound or vision, haptic designers cannot simply access libraries of effects that map cleanly to media content, and they lack even guiding principles for creating such effects. In this article, we make progress toward both capabilities: we generate a foundational library of usable haptic vocabulary and do so with a methodology that allows ongoing additions to the library in a principled and effective way. We define a feel effect as an explicit pairing between a meaningful linguistic phrase and a rendered haptic pattern. Our initial experiment demonstrates that users who have only their intrinsic language capacities, and no haptic expertise, can generate a core set of feel effects that lend themselves via semantic inference to the design of additional effects. The resulting collection of more than 40 effects covers a wide range of situations (including precipitation, animal locomotion, striking, and pulsating events) and is empirically shown to produce the named sensation for the majority of our test users in a second experiment. Our experiments demonstrate a unique and systematic approach to designing a vocabulary of haptic sensations that are related in both the semantic and parametric spaces.

Method and apparatus for providing a haptic feedback shape-changing display

Abstract: A haptic device includes a processor, a communication module coupled to the processor for receiving a shape input, and a housing for housing the communication module and including a deformable portion. The deformable portion includes a deformation actuator, and the processor provides a signal to the deformation actuator in response to the shape input to deform the housing. The shape of other areas of the device may also change in response to the signal. The shape changes may provide haptic effects, provide information, provide ergonomic changes, provide additional functionality, etc., to a user of the device.

Tension based 7-DOF force feedback device: SPIDAR-G

Abstract: We demonstrate a new intuitive force feedback device for advanced VR applications. Force feedback for the device is tension based and is characterized by 7 degrees of freedom (DOF); 3 DOF for translation, 3 DOF for rotation, and 1 DOF for grasp. The SPIDAR-G (Space Interface Device for Artificial Reality with Grip) will allow users to interact with virtual objects naturally by manipulating two hemispherical grips located in the center of the device frame. We show how to connect the strings between each vertex of grip and each extremity of the frame in order to achieve force feedback. In addition, methodologies will be discussed for calculating translation, orientation and grasp using the length of 8 strings connected to the motors and encoders on the frame. The SPIDAR-G exhibits smooth force feedback, minimized inertia, no backlash, scalability and safety. Such features are attributed to strategic string arrangement and control that results in stable haptic rendering. The design and control of the SPIDAR-G is described in detail and the space graphic user interface system based on the proposed SPIDAR-G system is demonstrated. Experimental results validate the feasibility of the proposed device and reveal its application to virtual reality.