Haptics: Accessing unused sensory channel capacity

Abstract

Total automation is often not a good solution for tasks in highly customized or unstructured environments or where human interaction itself is the task. Human operation of machines involves the transmission of information in two directions and clearly can confront the limited information channel capacity of the human. An effective solution is known to be the use of more channels or modalities of communication. Directly communicating with haptic channels can augment the overloaded visual and auditory channels and additionally stimulate appropriate corrective manual commands to machines under human control or supervision, resulting in a lower cognitive workload. Sensors, actuators and computational ability are constantly improving. This article examines the opportunities and challenges of employing the haptic sensory channels and also the associated command interfaces that take advantage of this channel. A systems and control perspective is essential to realize the advantages without unduly suffering the adverse effects. © 2012 IMechE.