HAPTICS
Skin-worn haptics gives touch back to prosthetics
RBy Julien Happich esearchers from Northwestern University have developed
a new form of laminated haptics that complies
with the curved surfaces of the skin, distributing discrete
points of actuation easily controlled remotely and wirelessly.
The prototype described as an “epidermal VR” solution in a
Nature paper titled “Skin-integrated wireless haptic interfaces
for virtual and augmented reality” consists of a 150x150mm
flexible laminate embedding an
array of 32 miniaturized actuators
into soft, flexible silicone. Each of
the actuators, measuring about
18mm in diameter and 2.5mm
thick, can be individually controlled
and powered wirelessly
using the same communication
protocol used to activate and read
out NFC tags. Their frequency
and amplitude can be adjusted
on-the-fly through a specially
designed graphical user interface,
tailoring the actuation to maximize
the sensory perception of the vibratory
force delivered to the skin,
Device layers.
Credit: Northwestern
University
the authors explain.
Hence, while a remote user
would draw a pattern on the touchscreen interface of a smartphone
or tablet, that touch pattern would transmit to the array
of actuators, reproducing the same sensory pattern, almost
simultaneously and in real-time as a vibratory output to the
wearer’s skin. The researchers anticipate that their epidermal
VR haptic solution could be made slimmer and lighter with more
densely packed actuators while also incorporating micro-heaters
for thermal inputs.
Eventually, the devices could be thin and flexible enough to
be woven into clothes. Along with VR headsets, gamers could
wear full VR suits to become fully
immersed into fantastical landscapes.
“With this wireless power
delivery scheme, we completely
avoid the need for batteries, with
their weight, size, bulk and limited
operating lifetimes” explains corresponding
author John Rogers,
“the result is a thin, lightweight
system that can be worn and used
without constraint, indefinitely.”
The soft flexible silicon
patch with its embedded
actuators.
Mounted in prosthetics and in direct contact with an amputee’s
skin, the actuators provide a “surrogate sense of feeling”.
“Users develop an ability to sense touch at the fingertips of their
prosthetics through the sensory inputs on the upper arm,”
Rogers explained. “Overtime, your brain can convert the
sensation on your arm to a surrogate sense of feeling in your
fingertips. It adds a sensory channel to reproduce the sense of
touch.” When integrated with micro-heaters, prosthetics fitted
with the haptic laminate could also let the wearer sense how hot
a cup of coffee is.
Radar enables heavy lifting drones to navigate in complex environments
By Jean-Pierre Joosting
Plextek is partnering with Griff Aviation to put its electronic
scanning (e-scan) micro radar and sensors on heavy
lifting drones developed by Griff.
UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) designed to carry payloads
up to 250kg are being developed by
Griff for a wide range of applications
including moving building equipment
and materials across harsh terrains
including mountainous and forested
landscapes.
The Plextek electronic-scanning
(e-scan) micro radar and advanced
software have been optimised for use
on drones and other UAVs. Operating
in the 60 GHz mm-waveband, the
e-scan radar is capable of detecting
hazards such as power lines from up to 60 metres as well as
buildings, bridges, vegetation and other objects both in front of
and beneath the drone, with good range out to 300m and angular
resolution. It also provides day and night, all-weather sensing.
And because the 60 GHz band is licence exempt in most
territories, the micro radar can be freely used and is unlikely to
cause interference with other equipment on board the UAV or in
close proximity.
The Plextek micro radar will enable the drones to fly at a
pre-defined height when integrated with the Micro Pilot flight
controller. A software shim layer converts the distance and
azimuth information into MAVLINK commands used by the flight
controller to navigate with speed and safety.
Plextek is currently working with Griff Aviation with on-site
trials in Norway ahead of putting the
drones through their paces with a
leading energy provider in Japan and a
power line company in Australia.
“Plextek has established internationally
recognised expertise in
mm-wave radar over the last six years
and is now applying its technology for
the ‘sense and avoid’ navigation of
drones and other UAVs,” said Peter
Doig, Business Development Director
at Plextek. “The Griff Aviation project
is particularly challenging and exciting as up until now, most
drones have been used for light weight payloads and heavy lift
drones require very precise and reliable flight control.”
Hans Petter Forde, Technical Lead at Griff Aviation adds,
“Innovation is needed to develop heavy lifting UAVs with robust
systems for navigation and sensing. Plextek’s micro radar
technology is ahead of the field and is ideal to fit our needs. We
believe firmly that working together, Plextek and Griff Aviation
will develop a system that will set the standards for the future of
UAS navigation.”
www.eenewseurope.com eeNews Europe January 2020 News 7
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