Haptic technology
[8] One of the earliest applications of haptic technology was in large aircraft that use servomechanism systems to operate control surfaces.
The angle of attack is measured, and as the critical stall point approaches a stick shaker is engaged which simulates the response of a simpler control system.
[10] In the 1960s, Paul Bach-y-Rita developed a vision substitution system using a 20x20 array of metal rods that could be raised and lowered, producing tactile "dots" analogous to the pixels of a screen.
[15] The vest is a wearable force-feedback device that monitors an audio signal and uses electromagnetic actuator technology to convert bass sound waves into vibrations that can represent such actions as a punch or kick.
It used thimble-like receptacles at the end of computerized arms into which a person's fingers could be inserted, allowing them to "feel" an object on a computer screen.
The wristwatch would connect to a mobile phone via Bluetooth, and tapping-frequency patterns would enable the wearer to respond to callers with selected short messages.
The majority of electronics offering haptic feedback use vibrations, and most use a type of eccentric rotating mass (ERM) actuator, consisting of an unbalanced weight attached to a motor shaft.
[31] The first commercially available ultrasound device was the Stratos Explore by Ultrahaptics that consisted of 256-transducer array board and a Leap motion controller for hand tracking[32] Another form of tactile feed back results from active touch when a human scans (runs their finger over a surface) to gain information about a surfaces texture.
[37] In addition to improving immersion, e.g. by simulating bullet hits, these technologies are sought to create sensations similar to weight and resistance, and can promote muscle training.
The first electrically actuated teleoperators were built in the 1950s at the Argonne National Laboratory by Raymond Goertz to remotely handle radioactive substances.
Simulated forces are generated using haptic operator controls, allowing data representing touch sensations to be saved or played back.
[45] A Virtual Haptic Back (VHB) was successfully integrated in the curriculum at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
[46] Haptic technology has enabled the development of telepresence surgery, allowing expert surgeons to operate on patients from a distance.
[48] With the introduction of large touchscreen control panels in vehicle dashboards, haptic feedback technology is used to provide confirmation of touch commands without needing the driver to take their eyes off the road.
Alpine Electronics uses a haptic feedback technology named PulseTouch on many of their touch-screen car navigation and stereo units.
Notable introductions include: Haptics are gaining widespread acceptance as a key part of virtual reality systems, adding the sense of touch to previously visual-only interfaces.
[79] In December 2015 David Eagleman demonstrated a wearable vest that "translates" speech and other audio signals into series of vibrations.
Devices of this kind have been developed to assist blind or deaf users by providing an alternative to visual or auditory sensation.
[citation needed] In recent years, teledildonics and sex-technology have expanded to include toys with a two-way connection that allow virtual sex through the communication of vibrations, pressures and sensations.
Robotic devices, such as end-effectors, and both grounded and ungrounded exoskeletons have been designed to assist in restoring control over several muscle groups.
Haptic feedback applied by these robotic devices helps in the recovery of sensory function due to its more immersive nature.
[84] Haptic technology can also provide sensory feedback to ameliorate age-related impairments in balance control[85] and prevent falls in the elderly and balance-impaired.
Haptic technologies have been explored in virtual arts, such as sound synthesis or graphic design, that make some loose vision and animation.
