HapStep: A novel method to sense footsteps while remaining seated using longitudinal friction on the sole of the foot

Abstract

In recent years, a lot of locomotion devices have been developed. However, most locomotion devices require the user to do a walking motion while the user is standing. In this study, we represented the walking sensation while remaining seated by representing the footsteps sensation using longitudinal friction force on the sole of the foot. We developed a haptic device (HapStep) to present the friction force on the sole of the foot and constructed the system that represents the walking sensation in accordance with the motion of the character in the virtual space.