Perceptual decomposition of virtual haptic surfaces

The analysis and construction of virtual haptic surfaces are considered from a perceptual point of view rather than from the dynamics and controls approach of prior work. The authors developed a perceptual decomposition of surface contact sensation by examining three qualities associated with the different stages of interaction with a haptic wall simulation. These qualities are the crispness of initial contact, the hardness of surface rigidity, and the cleanness of final release from the virtual wall's surface. These qualities, plus an overall rating of wall quality, were employed consistently by seven subjects to evaluate a set of six simple haptic wall simulations. Three of the wall models consisted of single linear springs; the remainder, single viscous dampers. Highest rankings of subjective hardness were associated with the spring models; damper models received the highest crispness rankings. Subjects favored the simple spring models as having, overall, the more wall-like perceptual character.<>