Human-Scale Haptic Interaction Using the SPIDAR (original) (raw)

This paper describes the human-scale virtual reality (VR) platform with force feedback developed at the LISA laboratory in Angers (France) in collaboration with Professor Makoto SATO. A human-scale SPIDAR system provides force feedback to user's hands using 8 motors placed on the corners of a cubic frame (2m x 2.5m) surrounding the user. Stereoscopic images are displayed on a rear-projected large screen and are viewed using polarized glasses. We present different VR applications that benefit from SPIDAR properties such as human-scale workspace, lightness, low intrusion, and safeness. These applications include virtual prototyping, collaborative work, human factors, virtual fashion design and education.