Mechanisms and Machinery for Haptic Interaction and Rendering

A special issue of Machines (ISSN 2075-1702).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2016) | Viewed by 15382

Special Issue Editor

School of Systems Engineering, University of Reading, Reading, UK
Interests: haptic systems; healthcare technology; rehabilitation robotics; cognitive robotics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Building believable haptic interfaces is a scientific and engineering challenge. The interface must not only emulate the haptic cues relating to kinesthetics and touch, but must also enable the person to have a meaningful interaction with a remote or simulated environment. Challenges include creating barriers to movement, coordinating the delivery of sensory cues, and identifying new materials and mechanisms to deliver these cues. This Special Issue aims to bring together ideas relating to haptic sensors, actuators, linkages, and control mechanisms that could be used to improve the experience of a haptic interaction. Papers addressing the theory and practice of haptic interface design are sought. The scope of this issue includes, but is not limited to, linkage design and optimization, novel actuators and materials, vibrotactile and skin stretch haptics, haptics embedded in consumer products, and wearable haptics. Both review articles and original research papers relating to the mechanisms of haptics are solicited.

Prof. Dr. William Harwin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • haptic interface
  • novel mechanisms of delivering haptic cues
  • linkage design
  • workspace optimization
  • intrinsically stable haptics
  • novel actuators and actuators for haptics
  • skin stretch and vibrotactile interfaces
  • friction breaking
  • control and stability

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

4053 KiB  
Article
One-Dimensional Haptic Rendering Using Audio Speaker with Displacement Determined by Inductance
by Avin Khera, Randy Lee, Avi Marcovici, Zhixuan Yu, Roberta Klatzky, Mel Siegel, Sanjeev G. Shroff and George Stetten
Machines 2016, 4(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines4010009 - 21 Mar 2016
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5652
Abstract
We report overall design considerations and preliminary results for a new haptic rendering device based on an audio loudspeaker. Our application models tissue properties during microsurgery. For example, the device could respond to the tip of a tool by simulating a particular tissue, [...] Read more.
We report overall design considerations and preliminary results for a new haptic rendering device based on an audio loudspeaker. Our application models tissue properties during microsurgery. For example, the device could respond to the tip of a tool by simulating a particular tissue, displaying a desired compressibility and viscosity, giving way as the tissue is disrupted, or exhibiting independent motion, such as that caused by pulsations in blood pressure. Although limited to one degree of freedom and with a relatively small range of displacement compared to other available haptic rendering devices, our design exhibits high bandwidth, low friction, low hysteresis, and low mass. These features are consistent with modeling interactions with delicate tissues during microsurgery. In addition, our haptic rendering device is designed to be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, in part through an innovative method of measuring displacement by existing variations in the speaker’s inductance as the voice coil moves over the permanent magnet. Low latency and jitter are achieved by running the real-time simulation models on a dedicated microprocessor, while maintaining bidirectional communication with a standard laptop computer for user controls and data logging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms and Machinery for Haptic Interaction and Rendering)
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5374 KiB  
Article
Design and Analysis of a Haptic Device Design for Large and Fast Movements
by Alastair Barrow and William Harwin
Machines 2016, 4(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines4010008 - 10 Mar 2016
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5153
Abstract
Haptic devices tend to be kept small as it is easier to achieve a large change of stiffness with a low associated apparent mass. If large movements are required there is a usually a reduction in the quality of the haptic sensations which [...] Read more.
Haptic devices tend to be kept small as it is easier to achieve a large change of stiffness with a low associated apparent mass. If large movements are required there is a usually a reduction in the quality of the haptic sensations which can be displayed. The typical measure of haptic device performance is impedance-width (z-width) but this does not account for actuator saturation, usable workspace or the ability to do rapid movements. This paper presents the analysis and evaluation of a haptic device design, utilizing a variant of redundant kinematics, sometimes referred to as a macro-micro configuration, intended to allow large and fast movements without loss of impedance-width. A brief mathematical analysis of the design constraints is given and a prototype system is described where the effects of different elements of the control scheme can be examined to better understand the potential benefits and trade-offs in the design. Finally, the performance of the system is evaluated using a Fitts’ Law test and found to compare favourably with similar evaluations of smaller workspace devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms and Machinery for Haptic Interaction and Rendering)
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1988 KiB  
Article
Bidirectional Haptic Communication: Application to the Teaching and Improvement of Handwriting Capabilities
by Nicolò Pedemonte, Thierry Laliberté and Clément Gosselin
Machines 2016, 4(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines4010006 - 15 Feb 2016
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4184
Abstract
The objective of this work is to study the relevance of haptic feedback in remote communication between people. The application is handwriting. A haptic device designed to help people to improve their writing skills is presented. Two experimental sessions are then proposed to [...] Read more.
The objective of this work is to study the relevance of haptic feedback in remote communication between people. The application is handwriting. A haptic device designed to help people to improve their writing skills is presented. Two experimental sessions are then proposed to a group of people. In the first test, two subjects communicate through a bilateral system by means of a haptic feedback to accomplish the task. Secondly, a blank test is performed. The results of the two tests are compared and analyzed in order to evaluate the importance of the haptic feedback in the context of collaboration between two people. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms and Machinery for Haptic Interaction and Rendering)
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