Visual Information as a Means for Substituting Haptic Sense

Abstract

Robots can be used when performing non-invasive surgical operations. They are operated by surgeons using remote controllers (e.g., control sticks; buttons). However, these controllers cannot convey the haptic feedback (touch) as with direct manipulation by one's hands. We tested whether peripheral visual feedback in the form of a flickering ring in the circumference of the control screen can to some extent substitute for haptic feedback. Participants had to lead a stylus pen in a predefined track while maintaining certain height from the stylus surface. In the experimental trials, changes in height were coupled with changes in the frequency of flickering of the ring. Results showed that participants who received the visual feedback performed the task better than participants without such feedback. It appears then that frequency can be transformed to other modalities like distance and may possibly be used to guide surgeons when using robots for medical procedures.