Haptic Illusions (using Multiple
Actuators) in Wearable Devices
Muhammad Qasim
Contents
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Introduction
Working
Applications
Conclusion
References
What is haptic illusion?
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Haptic illusions are illusions that exploit
the sense of touch.
Some touch illusions require active touch (e.g., movement
of the fingers or hands), whereas others can be evoked
passively (e.g., with external stimuli that press against the
skin).
How Haptic Illusion works/feels?
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It can be described by understanding cutaneous rabbit
illusion, in which a sequence of taps at two separated
skin locations results in the perception that intervening
skin regions were also tapped.
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Video
Surround Haptics by
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Tactile Illusions
Tactile illusions are perceptual phenomena that arise
when two or more vibrating devices or actuators are
placed on human skin. These actuators could be pager
motors, speakers, soleniods, militarty-grade voice coils, or
any other vibrating device.
Indeed, the tactile illusions are fundamental properties of
human tactile perception and do not depend on type of
tactile actuators.
In Surround Haptics mainly two tactile illusions are
exploit :
Apparent Tactile Motion illusion
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Two vibrotactile stimuli are placed on skin in close
proximity and their actuation times are overlapped, as
shown in figure below. The user would perceive not two
actuators, but rather a single virtual actuator moving
between physical vibrating points.
Phantom Tactile Sensation illusion
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A simultaneous stimulation of two vibrating actuators
placed in close proximity would create an illusory
vibrating actuator located between the real actuators.
Unlike apparent motion, the phantom illusion is static and
no motion is perceived.
Tactile Brush Algorithm
(Drawing on Skin with Tactile Brush)
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Apparent tactile motion illusion is used to produce
continuous tactile motion between any two points on the
actuator grid. For example, we can draw a tactile stroke
by sequentially vibrating actuators along the horizontal
row.
Tactile Brush Applications
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The algorithm is universal in that it treats tactile grids as a
generic content-rendering platform, independent from the
specific mechanical and electrical properties of the tactile
actuators used.
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Applications:
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Movies
Wearable Haptics and Navigation
Gaming Controllers
Movies
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By combining hi-fidelity moving tactile sensations on user
body with three-dimensional visuals and sound we can
dramatically increases the sense of immersion and
realism, create the illusions of being present inside of the
story.
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Hardware would be embedded
inside of chairs in movie theaters
or ride vehicles in parks or in
vests or jackets.
Wearable Haptics and Navigation
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It can be also wearable and by combining them with
location-based services, they can provide navigation cues
for motorcycle or bicycle riders or persons with limited
vision.
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Hardware would be
embedded in vests, jackets,
belts and so on.
Gaming Controllers
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An array of small actuators embedded in hand-held
controller can display various dynamic tactile effects when
user is interacting with virtual objects.
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Hardware could be embedded
into hand-held controllers,
vests or chairs.
Own idea as an application
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Learning Martial Arts especially Karate
Conclusion
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Haptic illusion is an emerging field.
It can be used in enhancing the perception of flying or
falling, of shrinking or growing, of feeling bugs creeping
on your skin.
The possibilities are endless.
References
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactile_illusion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutaneous_rabbit_illusion
http://www.disneyresearch.com/project/surround-hapticstactile-brush-algorithm/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mith4TPLrb4
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Thank You
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Questions & Comments