From: martin@inf.rl.ac.uk
Subject: Re: Query re EXOS (Was Re: Dataglove)
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 91 16:44:40 GMT



In article <18603@milton.u.washington.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's Dexterous Hand Master

Exos, Inc. 8 Blanchard Rd. Burlington, MA 01803.

The Hand Master uses an intricate exoskeleton that fits over the back of
the hand. Velcro and finger pads attach it to the hand.

There is a hinged joint at each of the finger pads.

The system is not really a glove at all but a lightweight aluminium
exoskeleton.

Each of the joints contains a small magnet and a Hall-effect senser
to measure the bending angle.

The sensor, built into the assembly, responds with a voltage that is
proportional to the strength of a nearby magnetic field.

A small magnet bound to the sensor moves closer to or farther
from it as the joint bends.

The Hand Master measure all three finger joints whereas the DataGlove
only measures two.

There are extra sensors on the Hand Master that measure left and right
motions of the fingers, and allow the full range of motions of the thumb
to be calculated.

The Hand Master uses a Polhemus Tracker to detect hand position.

Martin

--
            ...though scary is exciting,
                     Nice is different than good...
                          Into The Woods

Martin Prime,                           JANET:  martin@inf.rl.ac.uk
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory,         UUCP:   ..!mcsun!ukc!rlinf!martin
Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QX.England  TEL: 0235 446892