Hit Around: Substitutional Moving Robot for Immersive and Exertion Interaction with Encountered-Type Haptic

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Virtual Reality
• Robotics

Background:

• Immersive technologies enhance physical activity engagement.
• Encountered-type haptic feedback improves realism in virtual reality (VR).
• Existing haptic systems lack mobility and durability for dynamic interactions like combat sports.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce Hit Around, a mobile robot for immersive exertion interaction.
• To enable users to move and punch virtual opponents with realistic haptic feedback.
• To explore the feasibility and challenges of mobile haptic systems in VR.

Main Methods:

• Gathered insights from three exhibitions with iterative prototypes.
• Designed and implemented a hardware system and application for Hit Around.
• Conducted technical evaluations and a laboratory experiment for mobility and weight loading.
• Performed a field deployment study to assess limitations and challenges.

Main Results:

• Developed a mobile robot capable of delivering encountered-type haptic feedback.
• Validated the system's feasibility for mobility and weight loading through evaluations.
• Identified key limitations and challenges in developing immersive exertion interactions with mobile haptics.

Conclusions:

• Hit Around offers a novel solution for mobile, encountered-type haptic feedback in VR.
• The system facilitates more realistic and engaging physical interactions in virtual environments.
• Further research is needed to overcome challenges in developing advanced mobile haptic systems.