Visual Pseudo Haptics for a Dynamic Squeeze / Grab Gesture in Immersive Virtual Reality

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Source of Publication

Proceedings of the 2021 IEEE International Conference on Human-Machine Systems, ICHMS 2021

Publication Date

9-8-2021

Abstract

In this work, we analyze the suitability of employing visual feedback for pseudo haptics as a replacement for active haptics in an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment. A controller-free gesture interaction is widely considered to be a natural user interface in VR. As the controller is not employed, the lack of active haptic feedback can often result in a frustrating experience for complex dynamic gestures, e.g., grab, squeeze, clasp, etc. These actions are very easy to perform using specialized devices or controllers with active haptic feedback, e.g., data gloves with force feedback or controllers with analog triggers and vibrations can be utilized for immediate or continuous feedback. In contrast, these mechanisms are completely missing in a controller-free interaction. We present an on-screen visual mechanism as the pseudo haptic feedback of a dynamic squeeze/grab gesture to replace the active haptic feedback. Our proposed approach allows for the continuous visualization of a squeeze/grab gesture. We implemented an interaction mechanism to test the visualization for these dynamic gestures and compared it with a system with no pseudo haptics. The results from the user study show that an on-screen continuous visualization can be used as pseudo haptics for a dynamic squeeze/grab gesture in an immersive VR environment.

ISBN

9781665401708

Publisher

IEEE

Disciplines

Computer Sciences

Keywords

gestures, haptics, user interaction, virtual reality

Scopus ID

85118919159

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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