The S-BAN: insights into the perception of shape-changing haptic interfaces via virtual pedestrian navigation

Screen-based pedestrian navigation assistance can be distracting or inaccessible to users. Shape-changing haptic interfaces can overcome these concerns. The S-BAN is a new handheld haptic interface that utilizes a parallel kinematic structure to deliver 2-DOF spatial information over a continuous workspace, with a form factor suited to integration with other travel aids. The ability to pivot, extend and retract its body opens possibilities and questions around spatial data representation. We present a static study to understand user perception of absolute pose and relative motion for two spatial mappings, showing highest sensitivity to relative motions in the cardinal directions. We then present an embodied navigation experiment in virtual reality. User motion efficiency when guided by the S-BAN was statistically equivalent to using a vision-based tool (a smartphone proxy). Although haptic trials were slower than visual trials, participants’ heads were more elevated with the S-BAN, allowing greater visual focus on the environment

Travelling Ultrasonic Wave Enhances Keyclick Sensation

International audienceA realistic keyclick sensation is a serious challenge for haptic feedback since vibrotactile rendering faces the limitation of the absence of contact force as experienced on physical buttons. It has been shown that creating a keyclick sensation is possible with stepwise ultrasonic friction modulation. However, the intensity of the sensation is limited by the impedance of the fingertip and by the absence of a lateral force component external to the finger. In our study, we compare this technique to rendering with an ultrasonic travelling wave, which exerts a lateral force on the fingertip. For both techniques, participants were asked to report the detection (or not) of a keyclick during a forced choice one interval procedure. In experiment 1, participants could press the surface as many time as they wanted for a given trial. In experiment 2, they were constrained to press only once. The results show a lower perceptual threshold for travelling waves. Moreover, participants pressed less times per trial and exerted smaller normal force on the surface. The subjective quality of the sensation was found similar for both techniques. In general, haptic feedback based on travelling ultrasonic waves is promising for applications without lateral motion of the finger

Vibrotactile Display: Perception, Technology, and Applications

This paper reviews the technology and applications of vibrotactile display, an effective information transfer modality for the emerging area of haptic media. Our emphasis is on summarizing foundational knowledge in this area and providing implementation guidelines for application designers who do not yet have a background in haptics. Specifically, we explain the relevant human vibrotactile perceptual capabilities, detail the main types of commercial vibrotactile actuators, and describe how to build both monolithic and localized vibrotactile displays. We then identify exemplary vibrotactile display systems in application areas ranging from the presentation of physical object properties to broadcasting vibrotactile media content.X116363sciescopu

Modeling and experimental evaluation of a rotary peristaltic magnetorheological fluid device with low off-state torque for haptic interfaces

This article presents a novel rotary magnetorheological fluid device with inherently low off-state torque. The working principle of the device is similar to peristaltic pumps except the fluid remains inside the device and circulates continuously. Unlike other continuous rotation magnetorheological fluid devices, which operate in shear mode, the proposed device works in pressure driven flow mode. A proof of concept prototype with arbitrary dimensions is built and experimentally evaluated. Measured off-state torque is as low as 20 N.mm. Analytical model of the resistant torque and finite element simulations of the magnetic circuit are presented and validated with the experimental results. Using these models, an optimal device with similar off-state characteristics can be designed to fulfill specific requirements of size, weight, power and on-state torque. The proposed concept is promising especially for use in high precision haptic interfaces that require stability and transparency at the lower end of force spectrum. © 2018, The Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering

"Haptic material": A Holistic Approach for Haptic Texture Mapping

International audienceIn this paper, we propose a new format for haptic texture mapping which is not dependent on the haptic rendering setup hardware. Our "haptic material" format encodes ten elementary haptic features in dedicated maps, similarly to "materials" used in computer graphics. These ten different features enable the expression of compliance, surface geometry and friction attributes through vibratory, cutaneous and kinesthetic cues, as well as thermal rendering. The diversity of haptic data allows various hardware to share this single format, each of them selecting which features to render depending on its capabilities