Haptic feedback with HaptoBend: utilizing shape-change to enhance virtual reality

HaptoBend1 is an original device for providing general passive haptic feedback (PHF) in virtual reality (VR). The importance of haptic feedback in VR is apparent through improvements in presence [3] and user performance [2]. However, most general haptic systems rely on a large number of props [1], or large, complex actuated systems [5]. As a simple shape-changing device HaptoBend addresses this gap by allowing users to manipulate it from a single plane for 2D shapes, into multi-sided objects for 3D shapes. HaptoBend is simple, yet diverse by leveraging the dominance of human vision over other senses to provide realistic PHF with physical approximations [1, 5].