Abstract
A complete set of diverse haptic feedbacks is essential for a highly realistic and immersive virtual environment. In this sense, a multi-mode haptic interface that simultaneously generates multiple kinds of haptic signals is highly desirable. In this paper, we propose a new silicone-made pneumatically controlled fingertip actuator to render pressure and vibrotactile feedback concurrently to offer a realistic and effective haptic sensation. A new silicone-based stacked dual-layer air chamber was designed. The volume of the chambers is controlled by pneumatic valves with compressed air tanks. The top/upper air chamber renders vibration feedback, whereas the bottom/lower air chamber renders pressure feedback. The proposed silicone-made fingertip actuator is designed so that it can be easily worn at the fingertips. To demonstrate the potential of the system, a virtual environment for rendering three different types of haptic textures was implemented. Extensive performance evaluation and user studies were carried out to demonstrate the proposed actuator’s effectiveness compared to an actuator with single vibrotactile feedback.
Highlights
IntroductionVirtual reality (VR) enables users to experience real events without being in the situation [1]
Multi-Mode Simultaneous TactileVirtual reality (VR) enables users to experience real events without being in the situation [1]
The fidelity of haptic feedback, is still quite inferior to that of visual feedback in most VR systems [3], which is one of the areas that needs a technological breakthrough in VR [4]
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) enables users to experience real events without being in the situation [1]. The core enabling technology for VR is software and hardware components for synthesizing appropriate physical signals for our five senses, which mimics the signals generated during real interactions. Due to recent advances in computer graphics and immersive visual display technology, the fidelity of visual feedback is reaching the level of the Turing test where a normal human can hardly distinguish between real and synthesized scenes [2]. Tactile feedback is one of the inevitable haptic modalities that can recreate the sense of touch. It provides the perception of pressure, vibration, and shear force [3]. The main drawback of these devices is that they can render only a single kind of feedback using a single module
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