Development of a Pen-Type Device for SPIDAR-Tablet that Presents Force and Thermal Sensations

The quality of education can be improved by combining information and communication technology (ICT) education using personal computers (PCs) and tablets, which have gained considerable popularity over the last few years with virtual reality (VR) technology. Many students have difficulty in comprehending various physical and mathematical phenomena intuitively even if they can be expressed in mathematical formulae. Sensitization (visualization, auralization, and tactileization) could help enhance the understanding of these phenomena. In this study, to increase the understanding of thermodynamic phenomena via force and thermal sensations, we used a tablet-type thermodynamics learning support system. In a previous study, a piston was displayed in a VR space on a tablet, and the pressure changes were presented as force sensation using a force feedback device and a SPIDAR-tablet. Using a pen-type thermal feedback device, the temperature changes were presented as thermal sensation; however, the current SPIDAR-tablet presents two issues: i) the force control unit and thermal control unit are separated during the development stage, and ii) the presented force is weak because the motor power is small; therefore, it is difficult to feel force changes. In this study, to solve these limitations, we first integrated the force and temperature control circuit, and then enhanced the presented force by changing the motor and fabricating a new frame. Then, we assessed and confirmed the improvement of the force that was presented.