From: webber@csd.uwo.ca (Robert E. Webber)
Subject: Re: Query re EXOS (Was Re: Dataglove)
Date: 20 Mar 91 05:42:02 GMT
Organization: see disclaimer



In article <18603@milton.u.washington.edu> gdrew@cs.UMD.EDU (Greg Drew) writes:
..
.EXOS makes an "external device."  Exactly what is it?  Does it
.read hand positions using some sort of camera or sensor array?


EXOS has at least two such devices for sale.  They are contactable at:
EXOS, Inc., 8 Blanchard Rd., Burlington, MA 01803.  Pricewise, they are in
the O(U.S. $15k) range.

One of their products is the Dexterous Hand Master.  This is an
exoskeleton for the hand (a position sensor to locate the hand in
3-space would have to be attached - they are willing to attach one for
you if you don't have your own engineers for such).  The exoskeleton
is roughly 11 ounces.  Straps anchor the exoskeleton to each finger
joint and the wrist.  Finger bending and side to side motions are
measured, in all 20 distinct angles.  These angles are measured by a
``Hall Effect sensor'' (don't know what that is) which is accurate to
half a degree.  Each channel can be sampled up to 100 times per second
(RS422 or RS232 connectors available - RS422 gives maximum output
rates).  There is supporting software for PC AT, Macintosh, and VME
systems.  The sensor technology was ``originally developed at Arthur
D. Little as an outgrowth of research carried on for NASA.''  Sales
brochure targets remote operation of robotic hands, control of musical
performances, and artificial computer environments.

The other product that looks interesting is called GripMaster.  It
comes as an IBM AT compatible critter.  One angle sensor is attached
to the wrist and back of hand and a force sensor is attached to the
middle joint of each finger (at least in the sales brochure).  Force
sensor can measure in range from 0 to 30 pounds with sensitivity of
0.25 pounds.  Again, measured at a rate of 100 samples per channel per
second.  Apparently this was developed with looking for potential
sources of hand/wrist injuries, analyzing comfort in design of tools,
workstations, and products, and training workers.

--- BOB (webber@csd.uwo.ca)