Space Interface Device for Artificial Reality – SPIDAR –

In order to realize a human interface for the efficient modeling of three-dimensional shapes over the computer, it is necessary to create an environment in which shape models can be manipulated in the same way as their actual three-dimensional objects. Such an environment is called a virtual work space. In case that a human manipulates an object with his or her own hands, that person unconsciously uses the sensations, such as those of sight, touch, and force. In order to compose a virtual work space, it is important that information on such sensations be given comprehensively to a human. Moreover, it is necessary that all this information be generated artificially through computer processing. On the basis of these observations, the present paper newly proposes a space interface device SPIDAR as an input/output device necessary for composing a virtual work space. This device can not only obtain information on the positions of end-effectors but also provide information concerning the sensation of force to the end-effectors. Furthermore, an experiment is carried out for investigating the effect of information concerning the sensation of force on the direct manipulability of three-dimensional shapes in this virtual work space, and its effectiveness is verified.