Volumetric haptic display explained

A volumetric haptic display (VHD) is similar to a (visual) volumetric display, but informs touch instead of vision. A VHD projects a touch-based representation of a surface onto a 3D volumetric space. Users can feel the projected surface(s), usually with their hands. The display is otherwise not detectable, and offers no visual feedback. There are no known instances of a fully operational VHD at this time.

Technological implementation

The University of Bristol has developed a method for haptic feedback that could be integrated into a volumetric display. The system uses focused ultrasound to create a haptic object in mid air.^[1]

Feedback

The following feedback can be provided to the user:

• Surface contact
• Surface texture
• Vibration
• Motion-based/topological changes of surface

See also

• Optacon (two-dimensional)
• Refreshable Braille Display (two-dimensional).
• Wired glove (partial 3D representation).

References

• Belexes research project in the Centre for Music Technology at the University of Glasgow.
• http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn12169-tangible-display-makes-3d-images-touchable.html "Researchers in Japan have developed a display that makes 3D objects solid enough to grasp."

Notes and References

1. Rendering volumetric haptic shapes in mid-air using ultrasound: Proceedings of ACM SIGGRAPH Asia 2014 . ACM Transactions on Graphics . Long . Benjamin . Seah . Sue Ann . Carter . Tom . Subramanian . Sriram . University of Bristol . 2014 . 33 . 6 . 10.1145/2661229.2661257 . 3467880 . 19 November 2020. 1983/ab22e930-bd9d-4480-a85a-83a33bd9b096 . free .