Evaluation of Grasping Accuracy When Using a Passive Force Display Glove

Abstract

In virtual reality (VR) technology, force feedback/display devices are expected to enhance fine sensation and contribute to the user's immersive experience. This is particularly true for glove-type devices. Force display gloves, however, do not have a specific numerical value to indicate display accuracy. In this paper, we report the results of sensory testing and analysis with VR cylindrical objects using a passive-type force display glove. The size discrimination threshold for grasping was determined to be smaller than the nominal average error of the device; however, the threshold was larger than either the actual accuracy of the device or the threshold from an organoleptic test of a barehanded human. We have also identified the possible superimposition of the sensory accuracy errors of the operator with those of the glove. Despite this finding, we have determined that the device shows adequate accuracy for representing cylindrical objects during specific grasping tasks.

Keywords

• virtual reality systems
• human sensitivity
• sense identification
• physiological engineering