ABSTRACT
Computer-based training systems created to simulate machine assembly maintenance are normally operated by means of ordinary human–computer interfaces (keyboard, mouse, etc.), but this usually results in systems that are far from the real procedures, and therefore not effective in terms of training. In this study, we show that an enhanced solution may come from a multimodal virtual reality based maintenance system. In this regard, a research work is presented that is dealing with development of a haptic assisted maintenance training system. The proposed system applies an interaction environment in which each of the vital maintenance tasks can be simulated by the operator using a stylus-based commercial haptic device, run by means of explicit haptic-rendering methods to provide accurate feedbacks during part handling. A brief user based study is included to help evaluating the developed system and haptic based approach.
