Computational Design of Multimodal Tactile Feedback within Immersive Environments

Introduction

These last years have seen an explosion of novel tactile technologies providing various haptic sensations across all the user's body. However, while these technologies have now been made available, virtual reality systems are still struggling to convey compelling tactile sensations for 3D interaction.

Current Limitations

As of today, tactile feedback mainly fails to address the following issues:

1. To render multiple haptic stimuli in a spatially coherent manner.
2. To achieve temporal integration of the stimuli compatible with the interactive framerates of immersive environments.
3. To preserve the user's immersion within virtual worlds.

Project Overview

ADVHANDTURE aims at targeting all the above limitations by introducing a ground-breaking computational approach for handling multimodal tactile feedback within immersive environments. My original methodology proposes for the first time the introduction of perceptual data at each step of the design of the computational models dedicated to immersive tactile haptics.

Innovative Approach

Thanks to its innovative approach, ADVHANDTURE will address the design of:

a. Physics-based models able to simulate the rendering of various tactile inputs.
b. Computationally-efficient algorithms integrating multimodal tactile stimuli within immersive environments.
c. 3D interaction paradigms for combining multimodal tactile stimuli with multi-sensory information.

Long-term Impact

In addition to significant advances in the design of computational haptic rendering models, ADVHANDTURE, in the long run, will considerably enrich our 3D interaction with virtual worlds by providing realistic multi-sensory feedback with multiple tactile sensations.

Multidisciplinary Contributions

Thanks to its multidisciplinary aspect, ADVHANDTURE will propose synergistic outcomes contributing to our understanding of the haptic perception of virtual worlds, as well as the underlying models in the fields of Computer Graphics, Haptics, and Virtual Reality.