Haptic feedback is a technology that uses sensations such as vibration, touch, and force feedback to transmit haptic information. Virtual reality systems and real-world technology use the sense of touch to enhance interaction with humans. This article explains the meaning, types, and importance of haptics.
What is haptic feedback technology?
Haptic feedback technology uses sensations such as vibration, touch, and force feedback to transmit haptic information. The use of haptic feedback in virtual reality systems can help enhance the interaction between humans and virtual objects.
One of the goals of haptic feedback is to make humans feel like the experience it depicts is "real" in a virtual reality system. A common haptic technique is to use the joystick vibration to enhance immersion during gameplay.
Haptic feedback systems use force and haptic feedback to enable users and computers to interact with each other. Force feedback simulates certain physical characteristics of the virtualized object, such as pressure and weight. Haptic feedback, on the other hand, provides a clearer picture of the texture of the virtual object (e.g., smoothness or roughness).
How does the haptic feedback system work?
Before we dive into how this technology works, let's first understand what humans do. This complex organ is filled with tactile receptors and nerve endings, which we collectively call the somatosensory system. This system transmits information about heat, cold, pain, and other sensations that humans feel to the brain.
Touch receptors transmit sensations by delivering signals to the nearest neuron, which then sends signals to the next nearest neuron until the brain receives the signal. The brain then decides how it responds to the sensations. The entire process takes less than a second.
Just as audio and graphics stimulate our sense of hearing and sight to convey information. Similarly, the sense of touch will stimulate our somatosensory system to transmit information and be able to provide contextual information. For example, when a user presses and holds the app icon on the Apple iPhone app tray, their fingers feel a "pull" sensation. The iPhone's haptic motor generates this tactile sensation to convey that the app is ready to be moved, deleted, or sorted.
The vibrations, forces, and other movements of the tactile system are generated mechanically using different methods. The most common method is an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) actuator. The rapid rotation of the ERM causes an instability of the force generated by the instability of the weight, resulting in haptic vibration feedback.
Linear Resonant Actuators (LRAs) are another way to create haptic feedback. In this method, the magnet connected to the spring is bound by a coil and fixed with an outer layer. The coil is driven by electromagnetic excitation to drive the magnet to vibrate, resulting in haptic feedback.
In addition to LRA and ERM, other emerging technologies are being used to provide haptic feedback in a more accessible and realistic way. Experts use haptic technology for functions such as teaching, training, entertainment, and remote hands-on operation of robots.
Areas of application for haptic feedback
Haptic technology plays an important role in several industries. Here are everyday use cases for haptics.
1.Metaverse
The term "metaverse" often appears in tech news. The concept is growing in popularity, and companies across various verticals are poised for it to revolutionize our lives. Haptic feedback is expected to become one of the most commonly used techniques in this field.
The ultimate goal of the metaverse is to replicate reality in a virtual environment that is almost indistinguishable from the real world. Of course, this requires immersion in all human senses, not just sights and sounds. Efficient haptics are critical to the success of this collective vision for the tech industry.
Let's see how Meta, arguably the most prominent player in the metaverse space, is positioning its use of haptics. Facebook announced a rebranding in October 2021; However, it involved immersive technology long before that.
Meta made its first major leap in haptic advantage with its $2 billion acquisition of Oculus in 2014. Since then, the company has been acquiring new augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) IPs and investing in building its own solutions. Back in 2019, people started talking about haptic technology.
Facebook Reality Labs (formerly Oculus Labs) has made promising progress in immersive solutions research. For example, the recent introduction of haptic-enabled devices is designed to reduce input lag during gaming.
Haptics are also a natural choice for users to interact with the virtual world in a real and free way. With haptic technology, "clunky" user behaviors, such as tapping a touchscreen or pressing a button on a handheld remote, are replaced by seamless zooming, pinching, pushing, touching, dragging, and other object-oriented interactions.
The gear that enables these interactions, most likely gloves, will be powered by more than just the sense of touch. They will also include electromyography (EMG), which is used to convert electrical signals that transmit human thoughts into input that computers can read.
How does the sense of touch work in the virtual universe? Every time a user provides input, they receive feedback or reactions. For example, a user pushing an object in the virtual universe can "feel" its resistance and weight. If a stone is thrown across a virtual pond, the user will feel it leave their fingers. That's the magic of touch!
2.Space exploration
The virtual universe isn't the only environment where haptic technology is making waves. The technology has also made its way into space, with ground crews and astronauts using it for a variety of applications, including space exploration.
For example, haptics play a crucial role in the European Space Agency's Meteron project. The project focuses on the development of robot interfaces, communication networks, and associated hardware and software to remotely control robots in space.
Space agencies can also use haptic technology to build infrastructure on other planets or moons using robots controlled by humans on Earth. Today, that may sound ambitious. However, space agencies are already employing sophisticated haptic techniques in existing space-related applications. Further development is natural.
3.aviation
In aviation, the application of haptic feedback allows cabin crews to quickly understand operational issues. For example, the steering equipment incorporates haptic technology that notifies pilots when they enter dangerous flight conditions.
Even when there is no imminent danger, the aviation industry uses haptic feedback to improve pilots' overall situational awareness and inform them of the condition of the aircraft. For example, haptic feedback provides pilots with information about flight controls and helps manage flight status safely and cost-effectively.
Haptic technology is also one of the solutions that helps to ensure compliance with flight envelope protection. Haptic actuators are mounted on various components in the cockpit and between the controllers. They physically interact with the pilot's body and transmit the necessary information quickly and efficiently.
Haptic feedback is not only useful in real-time flight, but is also used to convey realistic sensations during flight simulations. This allows flight cadets to experience events that they would only encounter in real life. For example, you can use a haptic-enabled simulator to simulate unexpected situations when it rains, storms, and engine damage.
4.Automotive design
The application of haptic technology will also expand communication between the driver and the vehicle and enhance the overall usability of the vehicle. Haptic components can be plugged directly into a variety of vehicle user interface (UI) components, including steering wheels, pedals, seat belts, instrument panels, and seats.
These haptic interfaces will then be used to provide force or tactile feedback to the driver. For example, if a pedestrian is likely to cross the road in front of them, a vibrating seat can inform the driver of the road ahead.
5.Robot remote operation
Remote operators rely on the sense of touch to receive critical feedback from remote robotic tools. In some cases, the operator is notified in real time of the force to which the robot is subjected. This allows them to perform their tasks with precision. For example, robots regularly manage toxic substances and dismantle ** objects.
6.Healthcare
Haptic feedback devices play a vital role in several aspects of modern healthcare. Take minimally invasive surgery, for example. Here, the controls of specialized laparoscopic tools are equipped with force and tactile feedback, allowing doctors to remotely and accurately examine tissues and diagnose abnormalities.
Haptic feedback devices also give surgeons greater control over robot-driven medical procedures. Surgical robots enable doctors to perform surgeries in tight spaces where humans can't operate them, using small tools, and even in any country around the globe. Adding haptic feedback to the remote operation of surgical robots can improve accuracy and minimize surgery time. The risk of tissue damage is also significantly reduced.
In addition, haptic feedback devices also play an important role in training doctors. For example, medical students can practice on virtual patients, getting the "feel" of actual incisions and sutures without endangering the health of others. Dental simulators are another example of the practical application of this technology – dental students can drill and cut gums in virtual reality and simulate real-world sensations and outcomes through touch.
7.Entertainment
Cinema seating and immersive gaming devices in shopping malls and theme parks are powered by haptic devices that simulate**, weather effects, and other environmental and human conditions. Controllers such as gamepads, joysticks, jet seats, and steering wheels use electrohaptic or force feedback to transmit physical sensations to gamers.
And that's not all! In addition to game controllers and VR headsets, haptics can also cover home users. For example, a haptic-driven vest that anyone can buy online will deliver low frequencies to different parts of the human body once they are put on. The vest, combined with a compatible home entertainment device, enhances the experience when consuming games and movies, among other things.
Summary
There are multiple haptic configurations in the market today, each with a specific set of use cases. Haptic technology has already reached consumers across all walks of life and is only expected to expand with the rapid adoption of the metaverse. But this is far from the only application of haptic technology. The technology is also used in various forms in medical, entertainment, automotive, and many other fields