From: chrise@redwood.rt.cs.boeing.com (Chris Esposito)
Subject: Re: TECH: Tactile Feedback Devices
Date: Thu, 6 Feb 1997 16:17:56 -0800



Jessica Wing (jessica@cyborganic.net) wrote:

: I am looking for tactile feedback devices to incorporate into a
: motion-tracking system -- for example, to let the person being tracked
: know if they are out of range of the motion tracker.  I would need
: these devices to be small and wireless.  Our original idea is have
: small vibrating units (such as finger rings) that would vibrate as
: long as they were receiving a "you are in range" signal from the
: tracking device. I suppose this would have to be done with a radio
: receiver/transmitter.  In concept this is very similar to a commercial
: pager -- something that vibrates when it gets a signal.

Xtensory Inc. used to sell (maybe they still do) some `tactors' made
of shape-memory metal alloy that would change shape when a current was
applied, and return to their original shape when the current was
removed. By modulating the current, you could control the amplitude
and frequency of the vibration.  We bought ours several years ago and
at the time they were not wireless, with the controlling application
communicating over a serial line to a control box that talked to the
tactors. The tactors themselves were small and light. We attached one
per fingertip and a 3x3 array of tactors in the palm of the hand to
indicate collisions, grasps, etc. with virtual objects. For simple
binary (i.e., contact/no contact) information these worked quite well.

Cheers,
Chris

-- 

My opinions define policy in all corporations everywhere and for all time.. :-)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Esposito (206) 957-5797 | chrise@atc.boeing.com
Boeing Research & Technology, Virtual Environments Group