Haptic virtual reality for blind computer users

Abstract

Original paper can be found at : http://portal.acm.org/ Copyright ACM [Full text of this article is not available in the UHRA]This paper describes a series of studies involving a haptic device which can display virtual textures and 3-D objects. The device has potential for simulating real world objects and assisting in the navigation of virtual environments. Three experiments investigated: (a) whether previous results from experiments using real textures could be replicated using virtual textures; (b) whether participants perceived virtual objects to have the intended size and angle; and (c) whether simulated real objects could be recognised. In all the experiments differences in perception by blind and sighted people were also explored. The results have implications for the future design of VEs in that it cannot be assumed that virtual textures and objects will feel to the user as the designer intends. However, they do show that a haptic interface has considerable potential for blind computer users

Design and Development of a Multimodal Vest for Virtual Immersion and Guidance

“…Vibrotactile vests can be used for navigation in VR as well as real world environments (e.g., for the navigation of the blind [17,18]). There are several researchers that use a vest, or other wearable interfaces, like a belt [19] for guiding a user in a specific path, placing vibration motors on upper back instead of the shoulders and upper trunk [20].…”

Bringing Haptics to Second Life for Visually Impaired People

“…As far as texture perception is concerned, in [4,12] authors investigates the usefulness of haptic devices for blind-folded sight subject to judge the roughness of real and virtual sandpapers.…”

Evaluation of multimodal graphs for blind people

“…In order to tackle these problems, we adopt a multimodal approach based on novel force feedback devices, 3D spatialised sound and synthesized speech. Force feedback devices, such as the SensAble PHANToM, Pantograph, and Logitech WingMan Force Feedback Mouse, have been proven to be useful in exploring 3D objects, graphic user interfaces and scientific simulations [8][9][10][11][12][13]. In our work, force feedback devices are used to provide blind people with the sense of touch on the virtual graphs rendered by the computer.…”