Presenting Morphing Shape Illusion: Enhanced Sense of Morphing Virtual Object With Weight Shifting VR Controller by...

Area of Science:

• Virtual Reality
• Haptic Feedback
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Haptic sensation is key for virtual reality (VR) immersion and object presence.
• Existing haptic devices aim to simulate object shape through weight distribution changes.
• Visual feedback is known to enhance the perception of both static and morphing shapes in VR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To extend a previous perception model for static shapes to dynamic, morphing shapes in VR.
• To develop a stochastic model for predicting haptic device actuation for morphing objects.
• To reduce hardware effort in haptic devices while maintaining plausible shape sensation.

Main Methods:

• Developed a stochastic perception model to predict weight actuation for a weight-shifting haptic device.
• Extended a prior model for static shape perception to dynamic, morphing shapes.
• Evaluated the model's accuracy and its effect on reducing required haptic actuation.

Main Results:

• The perception model achieved an average accuracy of 8.1% error.
• The model enabled a reduction in weight actuation by up to 37% at a 75% probability of plausibility.
• This reduction in actuation maintains a plausible sense of morphing object shapes.

Conclusions:

• The developed stochastic model effectively predicts haptic feedback for morphing virtual objects.
• The model significantly reduces the required hardware effort for haptic devices.
• This advancement enhances immersion and plausibility in virtual reality experiences.