Haptic Feedback and Human Performance in a Dynamic Task

This study explores the effects of haptic feedback on performance and learning by human subjects executing a dynamic task. We present the results of experiments involving the control of a ball and beam. Human subjects perform position targeting of the ball through hand operation of the beam angle. In our dynamic analysis we discuss how this prototype task may be used to test the efficacy of various haptic feedback conditions. We obtain results for two conditions of haptic feedback, produced using two ball sizes, and apply various metrics to analyze performance. We also examine ordering effects that occur in the presentation of these haptic conditions. Our analysis and experimental findings indicate that the performance of a dynamic task is governed by the complexity of system dynamics and the magnitude of haptic feedback. Our results provide modest support to recommend exposure to a more complex, higher force-feedback task prior to the execution of a simpler lower feedback task.