ABSTRACT
In the field of virtual reality, haptic interface is one of the major research areas. High-performance haptic devices have been developed and some of them are commercially available. This chapter presents methods and issues in developing haptic interfaces. It describes the mechanism of haptic sensation and overall view of feedback technologies. The chapter introduces examples of haptic interface technologies developed. It also presents application areas and future prospects of haptic interfaces. Haptic interface presents synthetic stimulation to somatic sensation. Somatic sensation comprises proprioception and skin sensation. Proprioception is complemented by mechanoreceptors of skeletal articulations and muscles. There are three types of joint position receptors: free nerve endings, Ruffini corpuscles, and Pacinian corpuscles. Haptic interfaces have recently become a rapidly growing research area, although the technology is in a state of trial and error.
