An Integrated Haptic System combining VR, a Markerless Motion Capture System & Tactile Actuators

In the industrial environments, it is common that robotic or remote interaction with both rigid objects and soft or deformable objects is required. However, it is usual in such an environment that only one mode of manipulation is used, and that little or no distinction is made between rigid or deformable objects. The ability to “feel” or touch an object easy a naturalistic way to determine what type of object is being manipulated. By feeling an object appropriate manipulation techniques can be applied. A novel Virtual Reality (VR) interface is presented that incorporates tactile feedback in order to “feel” objects being manipulated. Incorporation of an important extra “sense” into such a system allows far more nuanced and dexterous interaction to occur in manufacturing environments that may be “messy”, have imprecisely located objects or that have a range of different materials present.