Touching Research: Haptics and Signal Processing

Haptics researchers investigate ways of using tactile sensation and control to help people interact more intuitively with computers, robots, and various other types of electronic and electromechanical systems.

Through the use of specially designed input/output devices, such as haptic joysticks, gloves, and surfaces, users receive feedback in the form of sensations that are felt in a finger, hand, or other part of the body. When used in conjunction with a video display, haptics can help users perform complex tasks requiring precise hand–eye coordination, such as surgery, physical rehabilitation, flying a drone, or manipulating very large or very small objects, ranging from space vehicles to microscopic organisms.

To learn more about the Haptics research and its applications, please read the column article in the March Issues of IEEE Signal Processing Magazine.