Morphological Fabrication of Rubber Cutaneous Receptors Embedded in a Stretchable Skin-Mimicking Human Tissue by the Utilization of Hybrid Fluid

Sensors are essential in the haptic technology of soft robotics, which includes the technology of humanoids. Haptic sensors can be simulated by the mimetic organ of perceptual cells in the human body. However, there has been little research on the morphological fabrication of cutaneous receptors embedded in a human skin tissue utilizing artificial materials. In the present study, we fabricated artificial, cell-like cutaneous receptors embedded in skin tissue mimicking human skin structure by utilizing rubber. We addressed the fabrication of five cutaneous receptors (free nerve endings, Krause and bulbs, Meissner corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles and Ruffini endings). In addition, we investigated the effectiveness of the fabricated tissue for mechanical and thermal sensing. At first, in the production of integrated artificial skin tissue, we proposed a novel magnetic, responsive, intelligent, hybrid fluid (HF), which is suitable for developing the hybrid rubber skin. Secondly, we presented the fabrication by utilizing not only the HF rubber but our previously proposed rubber vulcanization and adhesion techniques with electrolytic polymerization. Thirdly, we conducted a mechanical and thermal sensing touch experiment with the finger. As a result, it demonstrated that intelligence as a mechanoreceptor or thermoreceptor depends on its fabric: the HF rubber sensor mimicked Krause and bulbs has the thermal and pressing sensibility, and the one mimicked Ruffini endings the shearing sensibility.

VIS-HAPT: A Methodology Proposal to Develop Visuo-Haptic Environments in Education 4.0

Education 4.0 demands a flexible combination of digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving in educational settings linked to real-world scenarios. Haptic technology incorporates the sense of touch into a visual simulator to enrich the user’s sensory experience, thus supporting a meaningful learning process. After developing several visuo-haptic simulators, our team identified serious difficulties and important challenges to achieve successful learning environments within the framework of Education 4.0. This paper presents the VIS-HAPT methodology for developing realistic visuo-haptic scenarios to promote the learning of science and physics concepts for engineering students. This methodology consists of four stages that integrate different aspects and processes leading to meaningful learning experiences for students. The different processes that must be carried out through the different stages, the difficulties to overcome and recommendations on how to face them are all described herein. The results are encouraging since a significant decrease (of approximately 40%) in the development and implementation times was obtained as compared with previous efforts. The quality of the visuo-haptic environments was also enhanced. Student perceptions of the benefits of using visuo-haptic simulators to enhance their understanding of physics concepts also improved after using the proposed methodology. The incorporation of haptic technologies in higher education settings will certainly foster better student performance in subsequent real environments related to Industry 4.0

“Going on a sensory adventure, a touchy subject?”: investigating haptic technology and consumer adventure orientation

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it seeks to extend service and retailers understanding of how the inclusion of haptics can gamify digital service experiences. Second, it seeks to understand the moderating role of consumers orientation towards adventure in service experiences.Design/methodology/approachThis research adopts a two-study, 2 (haptic technology: present vs absent) × 2 (adventure orientation: high vs low) to test the proposed hypotheses (Study 1 n = 210, Study 2 n = 452). The data are tested using ANCOVA's and Hayes PROCESS Macro to investigate mean differences and the potential presence of two different moderated mediated relationships.FindingsThe results are consistent across the two experimental studies evidencing that the inclusion of haptics to gamify the service experience leads to significantly improved outcomes for service brands and channels. Further, the results demonstrate that the impact of haptics is greater for consumers with a lower, compared to higher, sense of adventure. Thus, the results demonstrate that whilst haptics improves consumers experiences with technological services overall, this is more prevalent for those who have “less sense of adventure”.Originality/valueThis paper sheds insight into the emerging area of haptic technology and is one of the first to specifically examine the impact of consumers “sense of adventure.”

PAL: A Framework for Physically Assisted Learning Through Design and Exploration With a Haptic Robot Buddy

Robots are an opportunity for interactive and engaging learning activities. In this paper we consider the premise that haptic force feedback delivered through a held robot can enrich learning of science-related concepts by building physical intuition as learners design experiments and physically explore them to solve problems they have posed. Further, we conjecture that combining this rich feedback with pen-and-paper interactions, e.g., to sketch experiments they want to try, could lead to fluid interactions and benefit focus. However, a number of technical barriers interfere with testing this approach, and making it accessible to learners and their teachers. In this paper, we propose a framework for Physically Assisted Learning based on stages of experiential learning which can guide designers in developing and evaluating effective technology, and which directs focus on how haptic feedback could assist with design and explore learning stages. To this end, we demonstrated a possible technical pathway to support the full experience of designing an experiment by drawing a physical system on paper, then interacting with it physically after the system recognizes the sketch, interprets as a model and renders it haptically. Our proposed framework is rooted in theoretical needs and current advances for experiential learning, pen-paper interaction and haptic technology. We further explain how to instantiate the PAL framework using available technologies and discuss a path forward to a larger vision of physically assisted learning.

The Widening Scope of Telemedicine in India: Delving into Its Economic Aspects and Haptic Technology

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our nation and economy gravely, which has led to exploiting ways of setting norms for the effective distribution of healthcare advancements beyond geographical boundaries. In this paper, we propose an approach for the rapid advancement and effective distribution of healthcare in India through the enormous potential in telemedicine and haptic technology. We further address the issues in India's current healthcare infrastructure occurring due to non-availability and vacancy of doctors, social development, such as the willingness of people to invest in telemedicine by statistically analyzing bar diagrams, tabulated data, and self-assembled visual graphics. Our study shows that the potential of technology-aided approaches such as telemedicine and haptic systems in healthcare is enormous, and through effective dissemination of awareness, training, and stakeholder involvement, telemedicine and haptics could change the norms in the advancement in the healthcare system of India

Applications of Haptic Technology, Virtual Reality, and Artificial Intelligence in Medical Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper examines how haptic technology, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence help to reduce the physical contact in medical training during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Notably, any mistake made by the trainees during the education process might lead to undesired complications for the patient. Therefore, training of the medical skills to the trainees have always been a challenging issue for the expert surgeons, and this is even more challenging in pandemics. The current method of surgery training needs the novice surgeons to attend some courses, watch some procedure, and conduct their initial operations under the direct supervision of an expert surgeon. Owing to the requirement of physical contact in this method of medical training, the involved people including the novice and expert surgeons confront a potential risk of infection to the virus. This survey paper reviews recent technological breakthroughs along with new areas in which assistive technologies might provide a viable solution to reduce the physical contact in the medical institutes during the COVID-19 pandemic and similar crises.

A Soft Haptic Glove Actuated with Shape Memory Alloy and Flexible Stretch Sensors

Haptic technology allows us to experience tactile and force sensations without the need to expose ourselves to specific environments. It also allows a more immersive experience with virtual reality devices. This paper presents the development of a soft haptic glove for kinesthetic perception. It is lightweight and soft to allow for a more natural hand movement. This prototype actuates two fingers with two shape memory alloy (SMA) springs. Finite element (FE) simulations of the spring have been carried out to set the dimensions of the actuators. Flexible stretch sensors provide feedback to the system to calculate the tension of the cables attached to the fingers. The control can generate several recognizable levels of force for any hand position since the objects to be picked up can vary in weight and dimension. The glove can generate three levels of force (100, 200 and 300 g) to evaluate more easily the proper functioning. We realized tests on 15 volunteers simulating forces in various order after a quick training. We also asked volunteers about the experience for comfort, global experience and simplicity). Results were satisfactory in both aspects: the glove fulfilled its function, and the users were comfortable with it.

Designing Pedagogically Effective Haptic Systems for Learning: A Review

Haptic technology enables users to utilize their sense of touch while engaging with a virtual representation of objects in a simulated environment. It is a bidirectional technology in that it facilitates the interaction between the user and these virtual representations by allowing them to apply force onto one another, which is analogous to our real-world interactions with physical objects as action-reaction pairs. The sense of touch is a powerful and innate learning tool that we readily employ starting from very early ages as infants even before learning to walk. Therefore, it is natural that incorporating haptic technology into pedagogical methods has been an active research area as it has significant potential to enrich the learning experience and provide an engaging environment for learners. In this paper, we reviewed studies from various disciplines that incorporate haptics to increase the quality of teaching and learning while emphasizing the underlying cognitive theories. In that direction, we describe two of the most common cognitive theories, the Cognitive Load and Embodied Cognition theories, that developers use to support haptic technology’s implications and use in learning environments. We then explore the effects of haptic design on its current applicability following these two theories. Finally, we summarize the best design practices to develop haptic simulations for learning, address gaps in current research, and propose new research directions.