Haptic interaction with virtual objects: the technology and some applications

Abstract

Haptics is an emerging technology that allows touch‐enabled interaction with virtual objects. Analogous to the use of computer graphics for rendering of a three‐dimensional (3D) scene to give the user a visual description of the scene, it is possible to use computer haptics to let the user touch objects in the 3D scene. This is normally accomplished by having the haptics engine sending either force vectors or positional information to a haptics device, a robotic arm, that the user manipulates. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of this technology, describe haptic devices and haptic application programming interfaces. We will also illustrate the use of haptics technology by describing a few industrial and medical applications.

Undergraduate students’ conceptual interpretation and perceptions of haptic-enabled learning experiences

“…The sense of touch can afford unique interactions with and obtain information from the real world such as (a) acquiring information about external objects through static touch, (e.g., temperature); (b) exploring objects using hand movements to discover texture, hardness, folds and outline; and (c) investigating different types of objects by manipulating them, such as identifying objects' shape and weight (McLinden & McCall, 2016). Although touch is one of the most fundamental ways through which people interact with the physical world (Thurfjell, McLaughlin, Mattsson, & Lammertse, 2002), surprisingly little is used as a vehicle for conceptual learning, particularly in higher education.…”

“…Although visualization remains a primary mode of interaction in simulations, touch is the most common way people use to interact with the physical objects (Thurfjell et al, 2002). Therefore, a greater sense of immersion in a learning environment can be reached when the user is able to feel and manipulate objects as compared to only seeing or listening (Srinivasan, Beauregard, & Brock, 1996).…”

Fast and Robust Semi-automatic Liver Segmentation with Haptic Interaction

“…Our interface consists of a Reachin display [11] that combines a PHANToM desktop haptic device with supporting systems. See Figure 3 (right).…”

The use of haptics in medical applications

“…The development of the basic software and hardware for this has been described elsewhere (1,2) . The technology as such is still in its infancy, but now commercial applications are rapidly emerging in a variety of fields.…”