Developing a haptic interface

with the assistance of a visually impaired focus group at Manchester Museum Sam Sportun – Manchester Museum & Christopher Dean – TAD systems

3D Recording – Benefits New technology

Non-contact recording

Accurate digital archive

3D Conservation record

Replication

Virtual restoration

Haptics

Conservation Technologies NML Freeform Studios Ltd

What is Haptics

2 way interaction with virtual objects, where action and

perception is linked to a physical act

Interaction with models in 3D space, allowing hand and eye to

work together on the model

Physical devices can be linked to virtual models to allow direct

manipulation and gesture interfaces enable more naturalistic

interaction

Haptic devicesPractical considerations

The PHANTOMTM stylus made by

Geomagic is a haptic feedback device

which provides single point, 3D force-

feedback to the user via a stylus (Omni)

or thimble

Immersion 3D Interaction produce a

products based around CyberGlove®, a

tethered, instrumented glove that can sense

the position and movement of the fingers

and wrist.

Omni chosen because of cost, robustness in

a public setting, replaceable elements and 6

axis of movement

V&A touch tourSt Dunstan’s – In Touch with Art 2010

Partners

Sam Sportun and colleagues: Manchester Museum

Christopher Dean: Touch and Discover Systems

Focus Group: Henshaws: Society for Blind People

Funders: Stavros Niarchos Foundation

Haptic interactive prototype for the visually impaired

Create a digital experience that

allows the blind and visually

impaired visitor to access a

group of museum objects, that

would either be too fragile to

touch or would remain

inaccessible by virtue of being

situated within a museum case

Developing a prototype

Objects selected by Henshaws:themes, fragility and form

User interface issues

Introduction to the rooms

The experience of interacting with 3d object,

wall for containment, contrast and colour

Location of the artefact in space

Introduction to the models – understand the

experience of deciphering the form point of

contact

Describe the objects before the experience

Navigation buttons- how to move from one

room to another

Sound to enhance the understanding of

construction and material

Testing the device

Henshaws Society for the blind (Manchester)

St Dunstan’s (Brighton)

Blind Veterans UK (Llandudno)

Royal National College for the Blind

(Hereford)

Culture Shots (Eye hospital)

Manchester hospital schools and

home teaching service forum

Art and Science Agenda Nursing and

Midwifery conference

Healing Environment Activity meeting

(Haptic working party)

Next steps and International content

Improve durability of unit and handle

Make content more interactive and

improve audible instructions (verbosity)

Add subtitles

Improving fidelity. Magnetic outlines to

improve understanding of forms

Hotspots on 3d files for multimedia

content

Increase number of objects from MM

Managing expectations

Creating a portal for global collections

on an accessible platform

Yale PeabodyMuseum

British Museum

Touching the untouchable