Investigations of High-quality Whole Body Tactile Displays by Reproducing Propagated High-frequency Vibrations

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18H01401
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 20020:Robotics and intelligent system-related
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Konyo Masashi 東北大学, 情報科学研究科, 准教授 (20400301)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 触覚ディスプレイ / バーチャルリアリティ / 振動伝播 / 振動知覚特性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have explored tactile displays that improve the sense of presence by spatially reproducing the vibration propagation generated by contact with the body. Specifically, as fundamental research, we conducted physical modeling of high-frequency vibration generation and body propagation of collision motion and vibration propagation characteristics, and perceptual modeling of high-frequency vibration reception characteristics in humans. In addition, by reproducing the vibration of the physical model with multiple oscillators when the stiffness and viscosity were changed, we verified whether the sensation of stiffness and viscosity of the body changed, and confirmed that it could be perceived as the sensation of body material. Furthermore, we have realized a technology for equivalent conversion into signals that can be easily reproduced by small transducers while maintaining the sensation of high-frequency vibrations.

Free Research Field

ロボティクス・メカトロニクス

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

没入型バーチャルリアリティシステムで必要となる全身触覚ディスプレイの発展のために，接触により身体に発生する振動伝播の空間的再現により，臨場感を向上させるという新しいパラダイムを提案した．本研究では，高周波振動の身体上の空間的広がりと臨場感の関係の調査，および高周波振動の受容特性に基づく信号変換技術の実現を行った．これらの成果は，スマートフォンやゲーム機，情報端末など，世界中で利用されている振動提示技術を発展させるための重要な基盤となる．