Restricted Access: Exploratory Procedures and Object Properties
Abstract In this paper, we present the results of a pilot study that examines whether restricting how people can explore objects haptically effects the object attributes they notice and the efficiency with which they can perform a simple sorting task. 25 observers were each randomly assigned to one of five exploration conditions: two hands (the control), one hand, thumb/forefinger, one finger, or probe. All observers performed a series of two-bin sorts. Stimuli were eight multi-propertied cubes which could be divided into two equal bins according to three properties: size, texture, and compliance. Preliminary results indicate that the restrictions on manual exploration we imposed affected both the exploratory procedures observers chose to use and the efficiency with which they could perform the task. Haptic interface designs inevitably restrict the exploratory procedures available to the user. This study attempts to determine the cost of these restrictions on the efficiency with which a user can explore multi-propertied objects in a virtual or telepresence environment.