Visual haptic interface by using 2-DOF indirect haptic interface

Abstract

This paper describes development of a visual and haptic feedback interface by using a direct input touch panel display and 2 Degree-of-Freedom (DOF) indirect haptic interface. In this system, a user should wear no gear on his/her fingertip, and can touch the objects with it. The system consists of a display, a motion tracker, and a 2-DOF haptic interface equipped with a force sensor. The systems measure the position of the fingertip of a user and produce an appropriate horizontal force on the thenar eminence (the group of muscles on the palm of the human hand at the base of the thumb) of the user. Through an evaluation test, it was verified that the effectiveness of the system for perceiving the hardness of virtual object at the fingertip.