Design of a haptic device for teaching motion & dynamics

• Main Authors: S., Sulaiman, H., Mohd Zaid, N.E., Zainuddin
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
• Online Access: http://eprints.utp.edu.my/453/1/paper.pdf; http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-57949093908&partnerID=40&md5=f1bcadd260507ea45c19b07e5b3e507f; http://eprints.utp.edu.my/453/
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Petronas

The haptic interface or force feedback device improves the quality of human computer interaction by accommodating the sense of touch in a computer simulation. A haptic device enables a two way communication between the user and the host computer. The applications of force feedback device cover a wide area such as in medical training, systems for the visually impaired, engineering research, and creative art-work. The role of haptic feedback varies depending on the applications in question and the devices used. This includes haptic as a teaching tool, and a communication aid. Despite the benefits of haptic feedback, its deployment to support interactions in a virtual environment is still slow. This is due to the high cost of the haptic devices in the market. We address this issue by presenting a conceptual framework in designing and implementing a cost-effective haptic device; building on similar concepts obtained from existing technologies. The device is developed using those gadgets that are mainly available in-house. It is projected that haptic feedback generated from the device could benefit teaching abstract concepts to students. ©2007 IEEE.