TorqueBAR: an ungrounded haptic feedback device

Kinesthetic feedback is a key mechanism by which people perceive object properties during their daily tasks – particularly inertial properties. For example, transporting a glass of water without spilling, or dynamically positioning a handheld tool such as a hammer, both require inertial kinesthetic feedback. We describe a prototype for a novel ungrounded haptic feedback device, the TorqueBAR, that exploits a kinesthetic awareness of dynamic inertia to simulate complex coupled motion as both a display and input device. As a user tilts the TorqueBAR to sense and control computer programmed stimuli, the TorqueBAR’s centre-of-mass changes in real-time according to the user’s actions. We evaluate the TorqueBAR using both quantitative and qualitative techniques, and we describe possible applications for the device such as video games and real-time robot navigation. Categories and Subject Descriptors H.5.2 [INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (e.g., HCI)]: User Interfaces – ergon...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2003
• Where: ICMI
• Authors: Colin Swindells, Alex Unden, Tao Sang
• Keywords: ICMI 2003, Inertial Kinesthetic Feedback, Input Device, Kinesthetic Feedback