Design and implementation of a haptic glove for use in virtual reality simulators

Abstract

Haptic gloves for Virtual Reality (VR) are a new technology that simulates tactile sensations to give users immersive and engaging experiences in virtual environments. These gloves are designed to be worn on the hands and are equipped with sensors and actuators that enable them to detect hand movements and provide haptic feedback. VR haptic gloves can be used in various fields. One of the main uses for haptic gloves is in gaming and entertainment, where they can increase a user's sense of presence and immersion by giving them realistic touch feedback, such as the ability to feel an object's texture or feel the impact of a virtual object. Moreover, Virtual Reality haptic gloves are utilized in training and simulation applications, such as in the training of medical professionals, where they can imitate the feeling of palpating a patient's body or carrying out surgical procedures, or even in the training of rescuers, where they can train in unfavorable and trial some circumstances. In this thesis, we will explore the creation of the Virtual Reality Haptic Glove and the simulation that the glove will be used on. The majority of VR haptic gloves on the market right now are very expensive and intended for commercial use. The goal is to create a budget-friendly haptic glove that is well-functioning in VR simulations. Furthermore, for the tracking of the fingers and for the haptic feedback, the glove will be using hall effect sensors that will track the differences of magnetic field depending on the motion of the fingers. Additionally, the tracking of the hand will be accomplished by using an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), that can capture the motion of the hand by measuring changes in acceleration, angular velocity, and magnetic field strength.