ViboPneumo: A Vibratory-Pneumatic Finger-Worn Haptic Device for Altering Perceived Texture Roughness in Mixed Reality

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Haptic Feedback Systems
• Virtual and Mixed Reality

Background:

• Haptic feedback for texture simulation is well-researched in virtual reality (VR).
• Modulating perceived tactile texture of physical objects in mixed reality (MR) remains a challenge.
• Physical objects often serve as anchors for virtual objects in MR, necessitating realistic tactile interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present ViboPneumo, a novel finger-worn haptic device for modulating perceived surface roughness in MR.
• To investigate the device's ability to increase and decrease perceived material roughness while maintaining other haptic sensations.
• To evaluate the impact of ViboPneumo on the overall MR user experience, particularly visual-haptic matching.

Main Methods:

• Developed a finger-worn haptic device, ViboPneumo, integrating a pneumatic actuator and a vibrator.
• The pneumatic actuator reduces contact area for decreasing perceived roughness.
• The vibrator increases perceived roughness.
• Conducted perceptual studies to assess changes in perceived roughness.
• Performed user studies to evaluate MR experience and visual-haptic matching.

Main Results:

• Participants could perceive changes in surface roughness (both increase and decrease) induced by ViboPneumo.
• Observed overlapping roughness ratings between haptic stimuli and original material perception, suggesting texture alteration is possible (e.g., ceramics as glass).
• ViboPneumo significantly improved MR user experience, especially visual-haptic matching, compared to using a bare finger.

Conclusions:

• ViboPneumo effectively modulates perceived surface roughness in MR environments.
• The device demonstrates potential for altering the perceived texture of physical materials.
• ViboPneumo enhances MR immersion and interaction fidelity through improved visual-haptic congruence.