Soft Haptics

The first phase of my PhD research involves the development of a novel vibrotactile interface. This interface uses the principle of particle jamming to affect the propagation of vibrations to a user's finger or hand. The particle jamming effect provides a better degree of control over the vibrotactile response than simply altering the power supplied to a vibrating motor and allows the vibrotactile sensation to be controlled in terms of both amplitude and frequency.

Research Aims

- To investigate the physical propagation of vibrations through a granular fluids of controllable viscosity.

- To investigate how different tactile sensations (such as texture and motion) can be presented through vibrations.

- To develop a method for transmitting vibrations digitally from a real world source to a human user (for example, in telerobotics).

Particle Jamming

Particle jamming refers to an active area of research in condensed matter physics. The jamming of particles in a fluid has been proposed as a physical phase transition and refers to a state where the particles that make up that fluid are packed in such a way that they are physically connected to any adjacent particles. Jammed fluids are, by definition, denser than the same material in an unjammed state, and this leads to many changes in their properties, such as increased viscosity and stiffness.

Prototype Device

A prototype for a novel haptic device based on the particle jamming effect described above was completed in early 2019 (photo at the top of the page) and very kindly funded by the IEEE Technical Committee on Haptics. The initial prototype consists of a rigid case filled with small particles, covered by a silicone touch pad. This mechanical device can be connected to an electronic vacuum regulator to control the strength of the jamming effect. This device uses a simple vacuum pump to generate an area of low pressure inside the case, forcing the soft cover into the device and causing the particles to jam. An ERM type vibrating motor is loosly suspended in the fluid to provide vibrations which are then restricted by the jamming of the particles.

User Studies

Once the phsyical characterization of this device is completed, I plan to undertake some simple user studies to determine the psychophysical effect of using particle jamming to control the 'intensity' of the vibrations. I will then use the device, either on its own or integrated into a joystick or other computer input device, to perform a number of application based experiments such as material identification from a recorded vibrotactile texture and telerobot control in difficult environments, for example with rough and or slippery terrain.

Key Collaborators

- Dr Ildar Farkhatdinov, Queen Mary University of London

- Professor Kaspar Althoefer, Queen Mary University of London

Financial Support Recieved

- EPSRC via a PhD studentship and the National Centre for Nuclear Robotics funded project

- IEEE via an Innovation in Haptics Award