An Improved Precise Multi-contact Haptic Visualization

Abstract

We present an improved multi-contact haptic visualization method based on the Spatialized Normal Cone Hier- archies (SNCH). Though this approach is not entirely new, we have implemented several improvements in order to significantly increase precision and robustness over the previous method. As a consequence we are able to simulate much harder surfaces and give users the chance to feel smaller features on the surface compared to the original approach. This was achieved mostly by using more precise triangle to triangle distance calculations and a different triangle visibility algorithm. As these computations are expensive, we have also developed a new technique to reduce the number of calculations required. Currently, our algorithm is capable of visualizing haptic interactions between two 3D models consisting of tens of thousands of triangles. The simulation is performed in real-time and is seamlessly integrated into a virtual-reality component-based system named VRECKO.