Stereohaptics Toolkit for Dynamic Tactile Experiences

Abstract

We introduce a toolkit for creating, editing, storing, sharing and broadcasting dynamic haptic media through current computing devices. Adapted from an audio-based infrastructure, our Stereohaptics toolkit uses off-the-shelf hardware components and available software tools to create various haptic interfaces and applications. Core of our toolkit is the Stereohaptics engine that processes inputs from embedded sensors and renders high definition haptic feedback on discrete actuator grids. We exploit sensory illusions in touch to generate the perception of objects and their motion on, around and through the user’s body and present psychophysical evidence of static and moving tactile illusions between two discretely spaced haptic actuators. The toolkit supports users to craft a variety of haptic effects on and across the body in a variety of grid configurations. We present design of the toolkit and its use in various activities and workshops. Our framework is easy-to-use and simple-to-adopt and can be applied to everyday handheld, wearable, augmented reality, virtual reality and extended reality applications.