Haptic device brings virtual worlds to life
In order to bring virtual worlds alive, as many of the human senses as possible must be involved. Initial efforts focused on what is seen and heard, but attention is now turning to what is felt. Haptic devices allow the user to interact with the virtual environment using their sense of touch. Experts in this field from CEA LIST in France developed a wearable haptic device with two degrees of freedom (DOF). The device design allows a wide range of motion. The user is afforded significant freedom of movement since the device is wearable and information about its position in time and space is gathered wirelessly. This represents a remarkable improvement over current devices like joysticks and mice. With respect to the quality of the sensory feedback provided to the user, the device's advanced motors and electronics can supply up to 5 Newtons of force. Information about shapes and textures is provided via tactile actuators. The Immersive Theatre Demonstrator (ITD) created during the MUVII IST project provided the context in which the potential of the new technology could be demonstrated. In the ITD the wearable haptic device allowed users to interact with handheld tools in a virtual archaeological dig. CEA LIST has applied for patent protection for the device. Strategic partnerships are sought and Haption, a spin-off company of CEA LIST, will pursue commercial exploitation of the technology.
