HAPTIC TECHNOLOGY (TOUCH THE VIRTUAL)

What Is Haptics ?

‘Haptics’ is derived from the Greek word ‘haptikos’which means – ‘being able to come into contact’.

Haptics is the science of applying touch (tactile) sensation and control to interact with computer applications.

Generally computers typically only take advantage of one or two sensory channels (sight and sound) to transmit information to people.

Haptics promises to open this bottleneck by adding a new channel of communication using the sense of touch.

Haptics expands the notion of bidirectional communication between humans and computers to include sensory feedback.

Haptics = Touch = Connection

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality is a form of human-computer interaction providing a virtual environment that one can explore through direct interaction with our senses.

The Real World

User should be able to touch the virtual object and feel a response from it.

In order to complete the imitation of the real world one should be able to interact with the environment and get a feedback.

This feedback is called Haptic Feedback.

Haptics Feedback

Haptics is implemented through different type of interactions with a haptic device communicating with the computer. These interactions can be categorized into the different types of touch sensations a user can receive:

1)Tactile Feedback 2)Force Feedback

Tactile Feedback

Refers to the sensations felt by the skin.

It allows the user to feel things such as the texture of surfaces, temperature and vibration.

Force/Kinesthetic Feedback

It reproduces the directional forces that can result from solid boundaries.

E.g. the weight of virtual objects, inertia, etc.

Haptics TechnologyHaptic technology is a tactile feedback

technology which takes advantage of the sense of touch by applying forces, vibrations, or motions to the user.

A haptic device gives people a sense of touch with computer-generated environments, so that when virtual objects are touched, they seem real and tangible.

HOW IT WORKS

Basically a haptic system consist of two parts namely the human part and the machine part.

In the figure shown above, the human part (left) senses and controls the position of the hand, while the machine part (right) exerts forces from the hand to simulate contact with a virtual object.

Also both the systems will be provided with necessary sensors, processors and actuators.

Working:

In the case of the human system, nerve receptors performs sensing, brain performs processing and muscles performs actuation of the motion performed by the hand.

While in the case of the machine system, the above mentioned functions are performed by the encoders, computer and motors respectively.

Haptic devices

It allows users to touch, feel and manipulate

3-D objects in virtual environments.

How are Haptic Devices Different?

Common interface devices like mouse and joystick are only input devices. No feedback.

Haptic devices are input-output devices.

COMMONLY USED HAPTIC DEVICES

1. PHANTOM

Provides a 3D touch to the virtual objects

When the user move his finger, then he could really feel the shape and size

of the virtual 3D object that has been already programmed.

2. CYBER GRASP

The CyberGrasp system fits over the user's entire hand like an exoskeleton and adds resistive force feedback to each finger.

Adapted to different size of the fingers

Located on the back of the hand

3.Magnetic Levitation Haptic Interfaces

A technology for feeling sensation over whole body.

It reduces the friction and other disturbances.

Applications of Haptics TechnologyComputer and video games-Haptic feedback is commonly used in arcade games, especially racing video games. Disney Research, Pittsburg (DRP) has shown off a revolutionary technology called ‘Surround Haptics’ that can bring real life experience in video gaming and film watching.

Personal computers- Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro started incorporating a "Tactile Touchpad" design. Mobile devices- Tactile haptic feedback is becoming common in cellular devices.Nokia and prada implemented it using piezoelectric sensor pads.

Robotics-Haptic technology is also widely used in teleoperation, or telerobotics.

Arts and design- Haptics is used in virtual arts, such as sound synthesis or graphic design and animation.

LIMITATIONS

High cost involved

Large weight and size of haptic devices (especially wearable ones)

Haptic interfaces can only exert forces with limited magnitude and not equally well in all directions.

Haptic-rendering algorithms operate in discrete time whereas users operate in continuous time.

FUTURE VISION

1.Military Application The soldiers can prepare themselves for battle

from learning how to defuse bomb to operating a helicopter.

2.Medical Application Use of a central workstation from which surgeons

would perform operations in various locations; with machine setup and patient preparation performed by local nursing staff .

3. Textile Industry User could study and feel the texture and quality of

material during the sale of cloth through internet.

ConclusionThe next important step towards

realistically simulated environments that have been envisioned by science fiction authors.

Continued implementation of tactile devices to aid people with disabilities will advance further.

Future generations of mobile devices and game console accessories will implement more haptic feedback.

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