The Tobii eye tracking technology has some advantages to competitors solutions; fully automatic eye tracking, very high accuracy with the ability to track nearly all people with good tolerances on head motions.

The thesis work includes hardware integration of eye tracking for use in SenseGraphics “immersive workbench” solutions. As we are using real stereo 3D in our setups, there is a great challenge to overcome the problem of 3D glasses blocking lights. Tobii is using advanced image processing of a person’s face and eyes and reflections in the eyes of infrared reference lights to estimate eye position and precise “gaze target”. The thesis project will investigate some possible solutions and hopefully we’re able to present a working prototype later this year…!?

The combination of eye tracking and use of haptics in real 3D stereo interactive environments would allow for some very interesting research possibilities in for example neuroscience. Hopefully our H3DAPI users will “soon” gain access to users gaze and eye position data for further research application development in SenseGraphics Display solutions…

Based on SenseGraphics H3DAPI and SenseGraphics Display, the simulator brings together a virtual patient, needle, sonic probe and image sonic data in a realistic environment for hands on simulation and training.

See the BBC Wales coverage with Professor Nigel John at the Bangor University to learn more!

 
Picture linked directly from physorg.com

See this YouTube video to learn more about the project!

In one of the project group the Novint Falcon game haptics device was chosen. The Falcon group had identified a problem when using the gaming device for longer gaming session. Already after some minutes of use the test group felt pain in their under arms and shoulders. Although there are recommendations in the manual like; for one hours of gaming you should rest 15 minutes, use the arm chair as a resting place for your arm while playing games… it is really limiting for a hard core gamers to restrict the “never want to end” playing games using this cool device.

The test users claim they feel pain in the under arm and shoulders on specific muscles. To really prove this is the case, the project group used EMG measurement to get an understanding for the kind of stress the muscles are exposed to. The group then did literature studies to find out what recommended arm and hand positions there are, in theory, for this or similar kind of use. From this study and the previous conclusions on the user test they brought up some new concepts on handles developed  and redesigned using the “JACK analysis” method (including force analysis). The group then manufactured new prototype handles which then was mounted on the Novint Falcon for new user test and EMG analysis. The final EMG analysis proved their new concepts being succesful in reducing the stress factor, especially on the under arm muscles.

If you would like to have a copy of the presentation please mail us!