Influence of the Auditory Localization Direction on the Haptic Estimation of Virtual Length

Haptic feedback can be utilized for solving a variety of different tasks in the virtual world. The identification of virtual shapes and objects is a particularly important task. Stamm et al. strived to detect the basic principles of shape and object identification in virtual worlds while conducting haptic identification experiments with numerous virtual models in a previous study. During the exploration and recognition process subjects experienced various difficulties that directly refer to the basic principles. One of those difficulties is subjects' insufficient spatial orientation in the virtual scene. A promising approach refers to the utilization of auditory localization cues. However, it is important to investigate possible interaction effects of such a multimodal reproduction. This work investigates if the haptic recognition of geometrical characteristics could be influenced by simultaneously reproduced localization cues. Specifically, it is investigated if the auditory localization direction influences the haptic length estimation of virtual objects.

[1]  Antonio Frisoli,et al.  A new option for the visually impaired to experience 3D art at museums: manual exploration of virtual copies , 2003 .

[2]  R. Klatzky,et al.  Haptic identification of common objects: Effects of constraining the manual exploration process , 2004, Perception & psychophysics.

[3]  G. Sepulveda-Cervantes,et al.  Haptic cues for effective learning in 3D maze navigation , 2008, 2008 IEEE International Workshop on Haptic Audio visual Environments and Games.

[4]  Adam Faeth,et al.  Combining 3-D geovisualization with force feedback driven user interaction , 2008, GIS '08.

[5]  Wen Qi.  Geometry based haptic interaction with scientific data , 2006, VRCIA '06.

[6]  Stephen A. Brewster,et al.  Haptic human-computer interaction , 2003, CHINZ '03.

[7]  I. Placencia Porrero,et al.  Improving the Quality of Life for the European Citizen: Technology for Inclusive Design and Equality , 1998 .

[8]  Marjorie Darrah,et al.  Haptic Display of Mathematical Functions for Teaching Mathematics to Students with Vision Disabilities: Design and Proof of Concept , 2000, Haptic Human-Computer Interaction.

[9]  Massimo Bergamasco,et al.  The Design and Evaluation of a Computer Game for the Blind in the GRAB Haptic Audio Virtual Environment , 2003 .

[10]  Robert L. Williams,et al.  The implementation and evaluation of a virtual haptic back , 2003, Virtual Reality.

[11]  S. Gepshtein,et al.  Viewing Geometry Determines How Vision and Haptics Combine in Size Perception , 2003, Current Biology.

[12]  Charles Verron,et al.  Supporting Sounds: Design and Evaluation of an Audio-Haptic Interface , 2012, HAID.

[13]  Sebastian Merchel,et al.  Identification accuracy and efficiency of haptic virtual objects using force-feedback , 2010 .

[14]  Charlotte Magnusson,et al.  A virtual traffic environment for people with visual impairments , 2005 .

[15]  Richard Lowe,et al.  Seeing with the Hands and with the Eyes: The Contributions of Haptic Cues to Anatomical Shape Recognition in Surgery , 2010, AAAI Spring Symposium: Cognitive Shape Processing.

[16]  Ville Pulkki,et al.  Spatial sound generation and perception by amplitude panning techniques , 2001 .

[17]  Charlotte Magnusson,et al.  Audio haptic tools for navigation in non visual environments , 2005 .

[18]  Helen Petrie,et al.  Use of a haptic device by blind and sighted people : perception of virtual textures and objects , 1998 .