ACM TechNews

Magic Touch

The Engineer (08/17/08) Vol. 293, No. 7753, P. 16; Excell, Jon

How people relate to machines could be revolutionized with the emergence of haptic interfaces that give a tactile feel to digital objects, with applications ranging from innovative touch screens to medical training to driving simulators to product design to advanced robot exoskeletons. The feel of real buttons is mimicked by Nokia's Haptikos touch screen handheld Web browser demonstrator, which is equipped with vibration-generating piezoelectric actuators. Immersion research chief Christophe Ramstein believes Apple's iPhone handheld could play a crucial role in the mainstream penetration of haptic technology. He says the repertoire of haptic effects will be greatly widened over the next decade, noting that "mechanical switches are one thing, but we can begin to think about more sophisticated effects like adding vibrations to music as if you're at a concert." UK Haptics' Virtual Veins system is a haptic simulator used to train health workers in venepuncture techniques through the use of 3D goggles, a PC, and a SensAble Technologies end-effector that facilitates interaction with virtual objects. Another adaptation of SensAble technology by UK Haptics involves haptic cow, horse, and cat simulators to train surgeons at the Royal Veterinary Hospital. Meanwhile, Immersion is working on wearable force-feedback technology that allows people to pick up and handle virtual objects through muscular interfaces.

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Articles/307304/Magic+touch.htm

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