FlexTorque: innovative haptic interface for realistic physical interaction in virtual reality

In order to realize haptic interaction (e.g., holding, pushing, and contacting the object) in virtual environment and mediated haptic communication with human beings (e.g., handshaking), the force feedback is required. Recently there has been a substantial need and interest in haptic displays, which can provide realistic and high fidelity physical interaction in virtual environment. The aim of our research is to implement a wearable haptic display for presentation of realistic feedback (kinesthetic stimulus) to the human arm. We developed a wearable device FlexTorque that induces forces to the human arm and does not require holding any additional haptic interfaces in the human hand. It is completely new technology for Virtual Reality that allows user to explore surroundings freely. The concept of Karate (empty hand) Haptics proposed by us is opposite to conventional interfaces (e.g., Wii Remote, SensAble's PHANTOM, SPIDAR [Murayama et al. 2004]) that require holding haptic interface in the hand, restricting thus the motion of the fingers in midair.