Haptics-human interaction and surface simulation

摘要

Haptics is one of the strategic trending technologies in the world as per the famous GARTNER 2014-15 predictions. This makes it one of the leading technologies to be focused on in the field Engineering and Research studies. It Deals with the simulation of real-world experience using concepts such as augmented reality and virtuality and providing Force feedback to users about the physical properties and movements of virtual objects represented by a computer. Our proposed work aims at perceiving and simulating different surfaces or textures and further providing real-time experience of virtual objects or surfaces allowing the blind users to visualize and sense their surroundings much like bats or dolphins. The proposed work involves two main phases namely feature extraction and feature matching, involving design and development of two devices, a hand module and a puck scanner. In feature extraction process, features (intensity variations) are extracted from the surface constrictions and are recorded using sensors mounted on the hand module. For Feature Matching, another module is designed which captures the image on the screen and further, the scanned image is processed and these features are matched with that of the database. The module is programmed such that typical frequencies are generated for different pixel values of the matched image and thus giving different vibrations through actuators creating virtual effect of the captured surface. This project would act as a virtual eye for the blind users.