Future of Engineering

Computers may soon provide people with a way to sense the texture of objects or feel how they fit together, thanks to a haptic, or touch-based, interface developed at Carnegie Mellon University. The device developed by Ralph Hollis, research professor in Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute, uses magnetic levitation and a single moving part to give users a highly realistic experience. Users can perceive textures, feel hard contacts and notice even slight changes in position while using an interface that responds rapidly to movements.

The field of haptic research and development is expanding rapidly. Carnegie Mellon's research opens new possibilities by joining the world of haptic feedback with a comfortable magnetic levitation interface.

The system eliminates the bulky links, cables and general mechanical complexity of other haptic devices on the market today in favor of a single lightweight moving part that floats on magnetic fields.

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Keywords: Magnetic Levitation, Sense of Touch, orientation, flotor's electrical coils, haptic feedback, bowl-shaped device, Carnegie Mellon University, Hong Tan, Ralph Hollis.

Labels: Bio-engineering, Computer-Science