Immersive virtual interfaces
Haptics is a feedback technology that mimics the sense of touch by applying stimuli, such as pressure, temperature and vibration to the user. The ability not only to 'see' a virtual environment but also to 'feel' it, would be a significant advance in interactive technology, with enormous commercial potential in various markets, including immersive gaming, patient rehabilitation and interactive training and simulations.
Haptics devices that mimic the sense of touch were initially developed for use with people recovering from stroke by a research team led by Dr Cheryl Metcalf at the University of Southampton. The team developed a number of devices using feedback from users throughout the design process. On completion, this work attracted interest from industry, and currently Dr Metcalf is collaborating with Morgan Innovation & Technology Ltd; (MIAT) a local SME based in Petersfield, on further development.
In conjunction with the University of Southampton, MIAT has developed an innovative haptic system for the hand that will provide individuals with a sense of touch. When combined with virtual reality (VR)technology, it allows users to see and feel the specific motion and action they are performing.
Technology roadmap
2009: Haptics were developed at the University of Southampton in a research team led by Dr Cheryl Metcalf
2011: Market analysis award – TSB
2013: Smart Proof of Concept – Innovate UK
Collaboration opportunity
Haptics have already been applied to clinical studies for rehabilitation with people recovering from stroke. Our collaborator, MIAT, is developing similar devices for distribution in the commercial gaming industry. We are looking for partners to exploit this technology in training and simulation in the military and aviation sectors.
If you would like to know more please contact Dr Cheryl Metcalf C.D.Metcalf@soton.ac.uk
Related Staff Member
Dr Cheryl D Metcalf PhD, MSc, BA (Hons), SFHEA
Dr Metcalf is a Principal Enterprise Fellow within Health Sciences at the University of Southampton and previously held a prestigious Research Council's (UK) Roberts' Fellowship in Life Sciences Interface. She is the Faculty Director of Enterprise where she works directly with the Associate Dean of Enterprise to oversee the knowledge exchange and enterprise activity across five schools and two enterprise units. She is also the Director of Enterprise for the School of Health Sciences and is responsible for the strategy development and implementation. She has an emerging international reputation in healthcare innovation and technology as evidenced by numerous guest lectures, keynotes and research collaborations.
She works specifically on the user-led design of innovation in health systems and technology. Over the years, her research has evolved to understand how health systems can and do support the people they serve, whether as a means to implementing new technological solutions to increase access, or by optimising parts of the service working alongside stakeholders. With a diverse background spanning computer science, biomechanics, health sciences and an entrepreneurial spirit, she has developed a unique set of tools to work with stakeholders to understand their needs and support change embedded in values perceived by users and influencers of the health system. She places a particular emphasis on working in a sustainable way with her project partners; always mindful that project research funding is transitory, and uses her experience in value-led design thinking and methods traditionally developed for business planning, to engage stakeholders to work toward transformative, innovative and sustainable health systems. Much of this work is within the amputation rehabilitation and mobility sector, and spans UK and Lower- Middle-Income Country contexts.
View profileLinks to external websites
- General HAWK
- Hand and Wrist Motion Analysis
- pianoHAWK
- Haptics project (prelim phase without industry)
- Using HAWK markers to drive VR game with upper limb robot
The University cannot accept responsibility for external websites.