Development of a Modular Adjustable Wearable Haptic Device for XR Applications

Current XR applications move beyond audiovisual information, with haptic feedback rapidly gaining ground. However, current haptic devices are still evolving and often struggle to combine key desired features in a balanced way. In this paper, we propose the development of a high-resolution haptic (HR...

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Main Authors: Ali Najm, Domna Banakou, Despina Michael-Grigoriou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Virtual Worlds
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2813-2084/3/4/24
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author Ali Najm
Domna Banakou
Despina Michael-Grigoriou
author_facet Ali Najm
Domna Banakou
Despina Michael-Grigoriou
author_sort Ali Najm
collection DOAJ
description Current XR applications move beyond audiovisual information, with haptic feedback rapidly gaining ground. However, current haptic devices are still evolving and often struggle to combine key desired features in a balanced way. In this paper, we propose the development of a high-resolution haptic (HRH) system for perception enhancement, a wearable technology designed to augment extended reality (XR) experiences through precise and localized tactile feedback. The HRH system features a modular design with 58 individually addressable actuators, enabling intricate haptic interactions within a compact wearable form. Dual ESP32-S3 microcontrollers and a custom-designed system ensure robust processing and low-latency performance, crucial for real-time applications. Integration with the Unity game engine provides developers with a user-friendly and dynamic environment for accurate, simple control and customization. The modular design, utilizing a flexible PCB, supports a wide range of actuators, enhancing its versatility for various applications. A comparison of our proposed system with existing solutions indicates that the HRH system outperforms other devices by encapsulating several key features, including adjustability, affordability, modularity, and high-resolution feedback. The HRH system not only aims to advance the field of haptic feedback but also introduces an intuitive tool for exploring new methods of human–computer and XR interactions. Future work will focus on refining and exploring the haptic feedback communication methods used to convey information and expand the system’s applications.
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spelling doaj-art-e7eaf50ccc1d4d09b1a6b308056c1eb92025-08-20T02:39:42ZengMDPI AGVirtual Worlds2813-20842024-10-013443645810.3390/virtualworlds3040024Development of a Modular Adjustable Wearable Haptic Device for XR ApplicationsAli Najm0Domna Banakou1Despina Michael-Grigoriou2GET Lab, Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts, Cyprus University of Technology, 3036 Limassol, CyprusGET Lab, Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts, Cyprus University of Technology, 3036 Limassol, CyprusGET Lab, Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts, Cyprus University of Technology, 3036 Limassol, CyprusCurrent XR applications move beyond audiovisual information, with haptic feedback rapidly gaining ground. However, current haptic devices are still evolving and often struggle to combine key desired features in a balanced way. In this paper, we propose the development of a high-resolution haptic (HRH) system for perception enhancement, a wearable technology designed to augment extended reality (XR) experiences through precise and localized tactile feedback. The HRH system features a modular design with 58 individually addressable actuators, enabling intricate haptic interactions within a compact wearable form. Dual ESP32-S3 microcontrollers and a custom-designed system ensure robust processing and low-latency performance, crucial for real-time applications. Integration with the Unity game engine provides developers with a user-friendly and dynamic environment for accurate, simple control and customization. The modular design, utilizing a flexible PCB, supports a wide range of actuators, enhancing its versatility for various applications. A comparison of our proposed system with existing solutions indicates that the HRH system outperforms other devices by encapsulating several key features, including adjustability, affordability, modularity, and high-resolution feedback. The HRH system not only aims to advance the field of haptic feedback but also introduces an intuitive tool for exploring new methods of human–computer and XR interactions. Future work will focus on refining and exploring the haptic feedback communication methods used to convey information and expand the system’s applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-2084/3/4/24human–computer interactionvirtual realityextended realityhaptic technologywearable deviceshigh-resolution haptics
spellingShingle Ali Najm
Domna Banakou
Despina Michael-Grigoriou
Development of a Modular Adjustable Wearable Haptic Device for XR Applications
Virtual Worlds
human–computer interaction
virtual reality
extended reality
haptic technology
wearable devices
high-resolution haptics
title Development of a Modular Adjustable Wearable Haptic Device for XR Applications
title_full Development of a Modular Adjustable Wearable Haptic Device for XR Applications
title_fullStr Development of a Modular Adjustable Wearable Haptic Device for XR Applications
title_full_unstemmed Development of a Modular Adjustable Wearable Haptic Device for XR Applications
title_short Development of a Modular Adjustable Wearable Haptic Device for XR Applications
title_sort development of a modular adjustable wearable haptic device for xr applications
topic human–computer interaction
virtual reality
extended reality
haptic technology
wearable devices
high-resolution haptics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2813-2084/3/4/24
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AT domnabanakou developmentofamodularadjustablewearablehapticdeviceforxrapplications
AT despinamichaelgrigoriou developmentofamodularadjustablewearablehapticdeviceforxrapplications