Influence of Haptic Feedback on a Pointing Task in a Haptically Enhanced 3D Virtual Environment

Abstract

To gain a better view of the value of haptic feedback, human performance and preference in a pointing style task in a three-dimensional virtual environment was explored. Vibration and haptic attractive force were selected as two simple cases of feedback, each with two levels. These types of feedback were compared to a no-feedback condition to better understand how human performance changes under these conditions. The study included 8 undergraduate students. A Novint Falcon haptic controller was used in a simulated three-dimensional virtual environment. Analysis was conducted on how each type of feedback effects the movement time (MT) of users. The results showed that vibration was perceived negatively and had a slight negative impact on performance. The haptic attractive force significantly improved performance and was strongly preferred by subjects.

3D Virtual Hand Selection with EMS and Vibration Feedback

“…The results for vibration and EMS feedback are not significantly different from those of visual feedback, nor from the none condition. In contrast to another study [8], we found that vibration was more effective that no feedback, but again not significantly so.…”

“…Throughput (2) depends on effective measures, and captures speed-accuracy tradeoff. The effect of haptic feedback has been evaluated in the past, typically with force feedback devices or vibration [2,8]. The results show that haptic feedback increases performance, but that vibration was slightly slower than the non-feedback condition.…”

“…Both consume only very little power (milli-Watts) and work even for fast motions. Previous work has used vibration as a feedback modality on the lower arm, the hand and the finger tip) [8,13]. EMS, an emergent topic in HCI research, provides another form of haptic feedback.…”

Quantitative modeling of user performance in multitasking environments

“…Meanwhile, various cognitive models have quantitatively analyzed human performance in single or multitasking scenarios. Many models discussed the quantification of information in a system with the human operator as a transmitter of information, for instance, the applications of Hick-Hyman law (Hick 1952;Hyman 1953) and Fitts law (Fitts, 1954), either singly or in combination (e.g., Clark & Ivry, 2010;Corbett, Yamaguchi, Liu et al, 2013;Phillips, Repperger, Kinsler et al, 2007;Seow, 2005). These models are originally derived from Shannon's Theory, a fundamental theorem of communication systems (Shannon, 1948).…”