An interaction model for the quantification of haptic impressions

Abstract

At the present, it is impossible to identify a defined set of quantified parameters which describe the haptic sensation felt when interacting with physical objects. Literature describes haptic properties like shape, texture or the passivity of an interaction, however quantitative values being used in independent experiments do hardly exist. This fact gives the central reason why in haptic science - in contrast to scientific research for the visual sense or the sense of hearing - no measurement technology has yet been established to compare the haptic properties of different objects and devices among each other. The purpose of this paper is to make a suggestion for a model offering both: a quantification of haptic interaction and an approach to measure haptic sensation.The document starts with a discussion about the properties of haptic sensations from a technical viewpoint. A model of haptic interaction is given as established as a working hypothesis at the authors' institution. The components of the model are explained and the mathematical background is formulated. A method to quantify haptic impression derived from the usage of the model is presented. An example of the application of the model is shown and a forecast on the chances of this approach is given. The paper closes with a look at the ongoing work on the model and the method. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.