EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP FOR HAPTIC INVESTIGATION OF REAL AND VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS

The interfaces that are used when connecting human and machine systems together are the human senses. These interface systems can be called bio-mimetic systems in that they are designed to respond to reactions and sensations of a biological system - the human operator. Various systems exist, that provide information to the human senses of sight and hearing. Audio and video systems have been perfected so that it is now possible for a user to wear small devices, which will allow a user to see and hear various forms of information. Systems exist currently and others are being further developed that interface with a third human sense, the sense of touch. These systems are called haptic systems or simply haptics. The inclusion of haptic systems allows the creation of fully immersive environments that can provide a user with the three major inputs of visual, auditory and haptic information. These systems can be used for virtual reality and telepresence applications.