Elastomeric Haptic Devices for Virtual and Augmented Reality

Abstract

Since the modern concepts for virtual and augmented reality are first introduced in the 1960's, the field has strived to develop technologies for immersive user experience in a fully or partially virtual environment. Despite the great progress in visual and auditory technologies, haptics has seen much slower technological advances. The challenge is because skin has densely packed mechanoreceptors distributed over a very large area with complex topography; devising an apparatus as targeted as an audio speaker or television for the localized sensory input of an ear canal or iris is more difficult. Furthermore, the soft and sensitive nature of the skin makes it difficult to apply solid state electronic solutions that can address large areas without causing discomfort. The maturing field of soft robotics offers potential solutions toward this challenge. In this article, the definition and history of virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR) is first reviewed. Then an overview of haptic output and input technologies is presented, opportunities for soft robotics are identified, and mechanisms of intrinsically soft actuators and sensors are introduced. Finally, soft haptic output and input devices are reviewed with categorization by device forms, and examples of soft haptic devices in VR/AR environments are presented.

Augmenting Sensor Performance with Machine Learning Towards Smart Wearable Sensing Electronic Systems

“…While haptic stimuli, widely detected and monitored by WSES, have not been fully explored for VR/AR applications. [133][134][135][136][137] Some applications of haptic systems are already present in the market, such as smartphones and watches, game joystick, and vests and gloves, which are integrated with modular tactile devices. [138,139] However, one potential limitation for these products is the difficulty of conformably attaching them onto one or all regions of the human body.…”

Materials and devices for immersive virtual reality

“…Haptic technologies sense and replicate various tactile sensations generated by interactions with the environment, such as those due to dynamic variations in pressure, shear forces and temperature, with sensors and actuators. Sensors obtain haptic perception 1 to detect the user’s conditions (body motion, hand gestures and physiological condition) as well as the environmental conditions (temperature, pressure, texture and shape of objects in the virtual space), while actuators reconstruct this information artificially in the virtual space. Various haptic input devices have been integrated in wearable sensors, but most haptic feedback devices are still limited to the very simple vibrational modes of operation (vibro-haptic) 2 to replicate limited mechanical sensations.…”

“…XR technologies are already used in entertainment (films, media and games), education (interactive virtual classes and laboratory experiments), teleconferencing (VR events, conferences and meetings) and product design, and are now expanding into health care (tele-surgery, surgery planning, medical training and virtual therapy), retail business (online VR shopping and virtual fitting rooms for e-commerce), tourism (virtual expeditions and field trips), job learning and training, advanced real-estate sales, and the fitness and art industries 1 .…”

What Is Significant in Modern Augmented Reality: A Systematic Analysis of Existing Reviews

“…Apart from reviews regarding AR as a whole, several papers have reviewed developments of specific technical aspects. As far as input device technology is concerned, some good examples are papers reviewing skin-integrated vibrohaptic devices [ 15 , 16 ], wearable sensors and integrated functional devices [ 17 ], thermo-haptic materials and devices [ 18 , 19 ], elastomeric haptic devices [ 20 ], and active materials [ 21 ].…”