Multimodal Human-Machine Interface For Haptic-Controlled Excavators

The goal of this research is to develop a human-excavator interface for the hapticcontrolled excavator that makes use of the multiple human sensing modalities (visual, auditory haptic), and efficiently integrates these modalities to ensure intuitive, efficient interface that is easy to learn and use, and is responsive to operator commands. Two empirical studies were conducted to investigate conflict in the haptic-controlled excavator interface and identify the level of force feedback for best operator performance

An aesthetics of touch: investigating the language of design relating to form

How well can designers communicate qualities of touch? This paper presents evidence that they have some capability to do so, much of which appears to have been learned, but at present make limited use of such language. Interviews with graduate designer-makers suggest that they are aware of and value the importance of touch and materiality in their work, but lack a vocabulary to fully relate to their detailed explanations of other aspects such as their intent or selection of materials. We believe that more attention should be paid to the verbal dialogue that happens in the design process, particularly as other researchers show that even making-based learning also has a strong verbal element to it. However, verbal language alone does not appear to be adequate for a comprehensive language of touch. Graduate designers-makers’ descriptive practices combined non-verbal manipulation within verbal accounts. We thus argue that haptic vocabularies do not simply describe material qualities, but rather are situated competences that physically demonstrate the presence of haptic qualities. Such competencies are more important than groups of verbal vocabularies in isolation. Design support for developing and extending haptic competences must take this wide range of considerations into account to comprehensively improve designers’ capabilities

Effects of external biofeedback interventions in individuals with chronic ankle instability: a scoping review

Clinical scenario: Evidence has demonstrated that about 1 in 3 acute lateral ankle sprains results in chronic ankle instability. Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a condition characterized by a history of one significant lateral ankle sprain, episodes of the ankle "giving way”, pain, and decreased self-reported function. People with chronic ankle instability show a multitude of mechanical and functional impairments, including a more inverted position of the foot during walking and consequently an increased lateral plantar pressure distribution. These factors contribute to high recurrence of ankle sprains, a decrease in self-reported function and the development of early onset ankle post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA). Traditional rehabilitation and prevention strategies against the development of CAI have not successfully improved the biomechanics of movement, thus new intervention strategies have been proposed in the last years to specifically target biomechanics impairments in individuals with CAI. Among these, intervention with biofeedback seem to be promising, but the actual effect is still not clear. Purpose: To perform a literature review and examine the effects of biofeedback interventions on biomechanics during gait and functional tasks in individuals with chronic ankle instability. Methods: The following literature databases were searched: Pubmed, PEDro, Cochrane Library and Scopus. The search strategy was based on the combination of different keywords associated with the Boolean operators “AND” or “OR” to create a string. Results were screened based on determined inclusion and exclusion criteria and the articles which were assessed as eligible after the screening phase were included in the qualitative evaluation. Results & discussion: At the end of the study selection, from a total of 178 articles, seven articles were included in the research. Studies assessed interventions using visual biofeedback (n = 4), auditory biofeedback (n = 3), and haptic biofeedback (n = 1). Four articles demonstrated reduced plantar pressure in the lateral column of the foot and a medial shift of the center of pressure after the intervention. One study demonstrated reduced ankle inversion after 8 sessions of biofeedback training and improvements in patient-reported outcomes. Another study found evidence that biofeedback is able to decrease vertical ground reaction force and ankle joint forces. One study demonstrated that biofeedback strategy is effective in altering the plantar pressure distribution causing a medial shift of the center of pressure during 4 different functional tasks (step downs, forward lunges, single-limb static balance, lateral hops). Conclusion: The use of biofeedback in individuals with chronic ankle instability resulted in several positive effects on clinical-oriented outcome as well as patient-reported outcome. Therefore, implementing external biofeedback training into an impairment-based rehabilitation program may allow for a greater improvement in impairments associated with CAI. However, future research to assess long-term effects of external biofeedback strategies in patients with CAI is needed.Clinical scenario: Evidence has demonstrated that about 1 in 3 acute lateral ankle sprains results in chronic ankle instability. Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a condition characterized by a history of one significant lateral ankle sprain, episodes of the ankle "giving way”, pain, and decreased self-reported function. People with chronic ankle instability show a multitude of mechanical and functional impairments, including a more inverted position of the foot during walking and consequently an increased lateral plantar pressure distribution. These factors contribute to high recurrence of ankle sprains, a decrease in self-reported function and the development of early onset ankle post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA). Traditional rehabilitation and prevention strategies against the development of CAI have not successfully improved the biomechanics of movement, thus new intervention strategies have been proposed in the last years to specifically target biomechanics impairments in individuals with CAI. Among these, intervention with biofeedback seem to be promising, but the actual effect is still not clear. Purpose: To perform a literature review and examine the effects of biofeedback interventions on biomechanics during gait and functional tasks in individuals with chronic ankle instability. Methods: The following literature databases were searched: Pubmed, PEDro, Cochrane Library and Scopus. The search strategy was based on the combination of different keywords associated with the Boolean operators “AND” or “OR” to create a string. Results were screened based on determined inclusion and exclusion criteria and the articles which were assessed as eligible after the screening phase were included in the qualitative evaluation. Results & discussion: At the end of the study selection, from a total of 178 articles, seven articles were included in the research. Studies assessed interventions using visual biofeedback (n = 4), auditory biofeedback (n = 3), and haptic biofeedback (n = 1). Four articles demonstrated reduced plantar pressure in the lateral column of the foot and a medial shift of the center of pressure after the intervention. One study demonstrated reduced ankle inversion after 8 sessions of biofeedback training and improvements in patient-reported outcomes. Another study found evidence that biofeedback is able to decrease vertical ground reaction force and ankle joint forces. One study demonstrated that biofeedback strategy is effective in altering the plantar pressure distribution causing a medial shift of the center of pressure during 4 different functional tasks (step downs, forward lunges, single-limb static balance, lateral hops). Conclusion: The use of biofeedback in individuals with chronic ankle instability resulted in several positive effects on clinical-oriented outcome as well as patient-reported outcome. Therefore, implementing external biofeedback training into an impairment-based rehabilitation program may allow for a greater improvement in impairments associated with CAI. However, future research to assess long-term effects of external biofeedback strategies in patients with CAI is needed

Engineering data compendium. Human perception and performance. User's guide

The concept underlying the Engineering Data Compendium was the product of a research and development program (Integrated Perceptual Information for Designers project) aimed at facilitating the application of basic research findings in human performance to the design and military crew systems. The principal objective was to develop a workable strategy for: (1) identifying and distilling information of potential value to system design from the existing research literature, and (2) presenting this technical information in a way that would aid its accessibility, interpretability, and applicability by systems designers. The present four volumes of the Engineering Data Compendium represent the first implementation of this strategy. This is the first volume, the User's Guide, containing a description of the program and instructions for its use

Virtual Reality Games for Motor Rehabilitation

This paper presents a fuzzy logic based method to track user satisfaction without the need for devices to monitor users physiological conditions. User satisfaction is the key to any product’s acceptance; computer applications and video games provide a unique opportunity to provide a tailored environment for each user to better suit their needs. We have implemented a non-adaptive fuzzy logic model of emotion, based on the emotional component of the Fuzzy Logic Adaptive Model of Emotion (FLAME) proposed by El-Nasr, to estimate player emotion in UnrealTournament 2004. In this paper we describe the implementation of this system and present the results of one of several play tests. Our research contradicts the current literature that suggests physiological measurements are needed. We show that it is possible to use a software only method to estimate user emotion

Augmented visual, auditory, haptic, and multimodal feedback in motor learning: A review

It is generally accepted that augmented feedback, provided by a human expert or a technical display, effectively enhances motor learning. However, discussion of the way to most effectively provide augmented feedback has been controversial. Related studies have focused primarily on simple or artificial tasks enhanced by visual feedback. Recently, technical advances have made it possible also to investigate more complex, realistic motor tasks and to implement not only visual, but also auditory, haptic, or multimodal augmented feedback. The aim of this review is to address the potential of augmented unimodal and multimodal feedback in the framework of motor learning theories. The review addresses the reasons for the different impacts of feedback strategies within or between the visual, auditory, and haptic modalities and the challenges that need to be overcome to provide appropriate feedback in these modalities, either in isolation or in combination. Accordingly, the design criteria for successful visual, auditory, haptic, and multimodal feedback are elaborate