In haptic simulation, a human operator kinesthetically explores a virtual environment. To achieve a virtual sense of touch, the human interacts with an active mechanical device, called a haptic display. This paper presents an approach to guarantee that this physical manmachine interface remains stable, while maximizing performance. The key element in ensuring stability is the virtual coupling n...

We developed an open source haptic software library named Springhead for virtual worlds with dynamics simulations. Combination of haptic interfaces and dynamics simulations realizes intuitive manipulations and realistic virtual worlds. It is useful for many applications such as virtual prototyping, educations, and entertainments. Many force display devices and dynamics simulators has been devel...

In this paper we introduce the combined use of BrainComputer Interfaces (BCI) and Haptic interfaces. We propose to adapt haptic guides based on the mental activity measured by a BCI system. This novel approach is illustrated within a proof-of-concept system: haptic guides are toggled during a path-following task thanks to a mental workload index provided by a BCI. The aim of this system is to p...

We studied the hypothesis that observers can recalibrate their visual percepts when visual and haptic (touch) cues are discordant and the haptic information is judged to be reliable. Using a novel visuo-haptic virtual reality environment, we conducted a set of experiments in which subjects interacted with scenes consisting of two fronto-parallel surfaces. Subjects judged the distance between th...

A 57-year-old male patient visited our clinic for decreased visual acuity in the right eye for 10 days. He denied any trauma history, but recalled that the symptom developed after straining. He had undergone uncomplicated phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in the bag of the right eye 11 years ago. The IOL was a three-piece silicone polyimide-haptics de...

We investigated material perception in blind participants to explore the influence of visual experience on material representations and the relationship between visual and haptic material perception. In a previous study with sighted participants, we had found participants' visual and haptic judgments of material properties to be very similar (Baumgartner, Wiebel, & Gegenfurtner, 2013). In a cat...

The objective of the research reported here is to develop a Multimodal 3D Geographical Information Systems (GIS) with haptic interface. In 3D environments, the complex spatial relationship between the entities and the influence of the light and shadow make operations of objects difficult and inefficient. Haptic interaction is then considered as an effective auxiliary method. We studied the feas...

This paper discusses the application of haptic feedback in Virtual Reality to enhance user performance in manufacturing industry. Haptic interfaces have the potential to enhance communication and interaction via the computer enabling affective expressive interpersonal communication and enriching interaction by haptic feedback. The aim of this study was to investigate and develop a better unders...

Recent advances in haptic technology and the wider availability of the haptic devices allow developers to construct visuo-haptic interfaces and simulators employed to simulate especially medical procedures. The visuo-haptic simulators combine visual and tactile information and provide training scenarios which help gaining or improving the trainee’s skills. In this paper we review visuo-haptic s...