With the spread of latest state of the art technologies geared towards utilization of the human senses, haptic technologies have been introduced as a way of utilising the sense of touch to either solve real world problems or to enhance present experiences. This thesis focuses on using haptic technology in cars to make the driving experience safer. Modern vehicles carry GPS, music systems, sunroofs and a number of other electronic gadgets. Interaction with these devices while driving often takes the driver‘s eyes ―off the road‖ and raises safety concerns. We are proposing a unique haptic design that uses the ‗sense of touch‘ as a mode of controlling or coordinating the various technologies and convenience devices found within a car. A pattern of distinguishable haptic feedback linked to a corresponding device allows the user to operate these devices through ‗sense of touch‘ and eliminates reliance on visual interaction. This design will help to reduce the driver‘s distractions, as it will be installed in an easily accessible location such as on the steering wheel. A simulation has been done using a haptic interface ―i.e. desktop phantom to test the system‖ and a prototype has been developed which can be installed in any vehicle. This prototype has been tested to work with a limited number of convenient devices. However, further development and enhancements can be made to incorporate more devices and other user preferences. The main objective of this research is to integrate various functionalities in a robust manner, which will focus on the driver‘s safety by ensuring ―constant vision on the road‖. Distinguishable distinct haptic responses will act as unique depictions for specific convenient devices within the car, allowing the driver to interact and manipulate the settings of the device based on the detection and identification of the various unique haptic depictions. / UOIT

A stressful society with a deficiency of attention has led to a growing demand for meditation techniques. One meditation technique is mindfulness, which is a tool used to reduce stress, intensify body awareness and to help us be more present. However, as mindfulness requires extensive training and dedication, many beginners may decide to quit practicing in the initial phase and may risk not ever experiencing the benefits of body awareness. Previous studies indicate that technology is often blamed for the deficiency of attention. Therefore, this study addresses the possibilities to design technology for sustained attention. More precisely, the study aims to investigate what potential possibilities wearable haptic technology has in enabling body awareness in body scan meditation in mindfulness. It also aims to explore how beginners in mindfulness experience the use of wearable haptic technology in body scan meditation. The study explores these problems by combining research through design and action research, with three phases of iteration, resulting in the design, implementation and evaluation of the wearable prototype HeatCue with haptic thermal feedback. The study implies that HeatCue provides an intimate, subtle and skin-close interaction, suitable for the context of body scan mediation. The results indicate that wearable haptic technology with thermal feedback holds the possibility to enable body awareness in body scan meditation through acting as a reminder for the body part where the feedback is applied, a reference for the rest of the body as well as encouragement. Furthermore, the study shows that wearable haptic technology is beneficial in evoking emotions and interest. The study also indicates some key aspects when designing for body awareness, namely; subtlety and interplay of the feedback, a secluded environment and an understanding that each individual is different. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of designing for body awareness and to new knowledge in the field of wearable haptic technology with thermal feedback and techno-spirituality in human-computer interaction

<p>New Virtual Reality technologies provide the possibility of widening access to information in data. Haptics, the technology of touch, could be an interesting future aid and have large impact on medical applications. The use of haptic devices allows computer users to use their sense of touch, in order to feel virtual objects with a high degree of realism. </p><p>The aim of the thesis is to investigate the potential deployment and the benefits of using haptic force feedback instruments in maxillo-facial surgery. Based on a produced test application, the thesis includes suggested recommendations for future haptic implementations. </p><p>At the Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, at the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, Virtual Reality technologies are used as an aid to a limited extent during the production of physical medical models. The physical medical models are produced with Rapid Prototyping techniques. This process is examined and described in the thesis. Moreover, the future of the physical medical models is outlined, and a future alternative visualizing patient data in 3D and use haptics as an interaction tool, is described. Furthermore, we have examined the present use of haptic technology in medicine, and the benefits of using the technology as an aid for diagnostic and treatment planning. </p><p>Based on a presented literature study and an international outlook, we found that haptics could improve the management of medical models. The technology could be an aid, both for physical models as well as for virtual models. We found three different ways of implementing haptics in maxillo-facial surgery. A haptic system could be developed in order to only manage virtual medical models and be an alternative solution to the complete Rapid Prototyping process. A haptic system could serve as a software, handling the image processing and interfacing from a medical scanner to an Rapid Prototyping system. A haptic system could be developed as an alternative interaction tool, which could be implemented as an additional function in currently used image processing software, in order to improve the management of virtual medical models before the Rapid Prototyping process. </p><p>An implementation for planning and examination in maxillo-facial surgery, using haptic force feedback interaction, is developed and evaluated. The test implementation is underlying our aim of investigating the potential deployment and the benefits of using haptic force feedback instruments in maxillo-facial surgery. </p><p>After discussing the possible future of our implementation and the future of haptic force feedback in maxillo-facial surgery, a recommendation is given as a conclusion of our total work.</p>

New Virtual Reality technologies provide the possibility of widening access to information in data. Haptics, the technology of touch, could be an interesting future aid and have large impact on medical applications. The use of haptic devices allows computer users to use their sense of touch, in order to feel virtual objects with a high degree of realism. The aim of the thesis is to investigate the potential deployment and the benefits of using haptic force feedback instruments in maxillo-facial surgery. Based on a produced test application, the thesis includes suggested recommendations for future haptic implementations. At the Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, at the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, Virtual Reality technologies are used as an aid to a limited extent during the production of physical medical models. The physical medical models are produced with Rapid Prototyping techniques. This process is examined and described in the thesis. Moreover, the future of the physical medical models is outlined, and a future alternative visualizing patient data in 3D and use haptics as an interaction tool, is described. Furthermore, we have examined the present use of haptic technology in medicine, and the benefits of using the technology as an aid for diagnostic and treatment planning. Based on a presented literature study and an international outlook, we found that haptics could improve the management of medical models. The technology could be an aid, both for physical models as well as for virtual models. We found three different ways of implementing haptics in maxillo-facial surgery. A haptic system could be developed in order to only manage virtual medical models and be an alternative solution to the complete Rapid Prototyping process. A haptic system could serve as a software, handling the image processing and interfacing from a medical scanner to an Rapid Prototyping system. A haptic system could be developed as an alternative interaction tool, which could be implemented as an additional function in currently used image processing software, in order to improve the management of virtual medical models before the Rapid Prototyping process. An implementation for planning and examination in maxillo-facial surgery, using haptic force feedback interaction, is developed and evaluated. The test implementation is underlying our aim of investigating the potential deployment and the benefits of using haptic force feedback instruments in maxillo-facial surgery. After discussing the possible future of our implementation and the future of haptic force feedback in maxillo-facial surgery, a recommendation is given as a conclusion of our total work.

Las tecnologías conocidas como Haptic Technology y Volumetric Display permiten que el usuario pueda percibir objetos virtuales, por medio de la vista o el tacto, en el mundo real. Estas tecnologías buscan que la interacción entre el mundo virtual y el ser humano deje de tener como intermediario algún computador y que la interacción entre estos sea de forma más directa. Para utilizar estas tecnologías es necesario el uso de ciertos dispositivos, los cuales permiten que el usuario se percate de estos objetos virtuales en su entorno físico. Seria provechoso que el Perú se enfocara en la investigación de estas tecnologías debido a la revolución que tendrán en el rubro de medicina, rubro industrial, mundo de los juegos, entre otros. El presente trabajo de investigación tiene como objetivo presentar un Roadmap de Proyectos basado en las técnicas de desarrollo de estas tecnologías para su implementación en futuros proyectos generados en el Perú. / Technologies known as Haptic Technology and Volumetric Display allow the user to perceive virtual objects, through sight or touch, in the real world. These technologies seek that the interaction between the virtual world and the human being ceases to have a computer as an intermediary and that the interaction between them be more direct. To use these technologies, it is necessary certain devices, which allow the user to be aware of these virtual objects in their physical environment. It would be beneficial for Peru to focus on the investigation of these technologies due to the revolution that they will have in the field of medicine, the industrial sector, the world of games, among others. The objective of this research work is to present a Project Roadmap based on the development techniques of these technologies for their implementation in future projects generated in Peru. / Trabajo de investigación