Haptics in Military Applications

Lauri Immonen

What is this all about?

• Let's have a look at haptics in military applications• Three categories of interest:

o Medical applicationso Communicationo Combat

• Conclusions & discussion

Introduction

• Virtual reality training can have a positive effect in performance

• VR doesn't have to be entirely realistic• Haptics enhance the feeling of immersion• What kind of haptics are we talking about today?

o VR hapticso Haptic signals

Medical applications

• Realistic training can be difficulto Animalso Cadaverso Dummies

• Ethical questions, lack of realism• Haptic feedback is important

o Simulations with haptics provide alternative training options

Communications

• Hand signals are a common way to communicate• Hand signals are not always useful• Could there be a way to reduce the load of soldies' visual

channel?o Haptic signals

• Challenge for soldiers is to monitor visual and auditory channels and having enough environmental and situational awareness

• Security issues!

Combat

• Safety could be improved• Other haptic issues considering combat situations?

Examples

• I will present a few examples of there areas of interesto Surgery simulationo Comparison of hand and haptic signalso Detectability of haptic signalso Tactile cue for firearms

A haptic-enabled simulator for cricothyroidotomy• An operation, in which the patient's airways are blocked and

a breathing method must be accomplishedo In case of severe facial wounds; gunshot, explosion...o Gas injuries

• The users have 3D glasses and a Phantom haptic device• Graphical user interface• Patient model• Key surgical skill steps

o Steps, which require a specific action to be performed

A haptic-enabled simulator for cricothyroidotomy

A haptic-enabled simulator for cricothyroidotomyThe skill steps:1. Landmark identification2. Making the incision3. Incision enlargement4. Intubation

A haptic-enabled simulator for cricothyroidotomy

A haptic-enabled simulator for cricothyroidotomyResults and thoughts:• Comments have been favourable• Haptic feedback is accurate• System is promising

• What about a haptic glove?• Realistic feedback is essential!

Comparison of army hand signals to tactile signals• A study, in which soldiers' abilities to interpret and respond

to tactile commands was evaluated• Combat patrol simulation on an obstacle course• Tactile and hand signals were given to soldiers• Response times and accuracy of interpretation were

recorded

Comparison of army hand signals to tactile signals• Signals were hand and tactile• Hand signals from front and behind• Tactile display

Comparison of army hand signals to tactile signalsThe signals were:• Attention

o sequenced side-to-side activation of front tactors, creating a “wave-like” motion

• Halto four tactors simultaneously actuated

• Rallyo –sequenced back-to-front activation of tactors, creating

movement around each side of the body to converge in the front

• Move outo sequenced activation of all tactors, creating a circular

motion around the body

Comparison of army hand signals to tactile signals• The soldiers performed actions on the obstacle course

o Patrollingo Crawlingo Climbingo Firing

• They received signals while on the course• Daytime, not so realistic environment

Comparison of army hand signals to tactile signalsResults and thoughts:• Tactile signals were intuitive and easy to understand• Faster response and interpretation than of the hand signals• Commands can be given at the same time for a group (no

wave effect)

• What about a real situation with lots of interference?• Security of the signals?• Soldiers perhaps had extra focus on tactile (new and exciting

thing) signals?

Detectability of haptic signals

Another study about haptic signals!• Detectability of vibrotactile patterns as combat assault

moves were performed• How different tactile displays affect to recognition of signals• Do different tactile patterns have the same recognition rate

• Obstacle course• Tactile display

o Belto Array

Detectability of haptic signals

Detectability of haptic signals

Results and thoughts:• No difference between tactile displays• Difference between different patterns was small• Combat actions did have an effect to signal detection:

o Crawling 63% detectiono Tires 92%o Windows 88%

• Correct detection:o Crawling 51%o Tires 89%o Windows 77%

Detectability of haptic signals

• What about detection in poor conditions?• Stress, exhaustion and fear in real situation?• Not much margin for errors in real combat situations!

A tactile cue for firearms

• Not all inventions are expensive, difficult to implement or otherwise complicated

Thank you.

Questions & comments!