The "Bubble" Technique: Interacting with Large Virtual Environments Using Haptic Devices with Limited Workspace

Abstract

The "Bubble" technique is a novel interaction technique to interact with large virtual environments (VE) using a haptic device with a limited workspace. It is based on a hybrid position/rate control which enables both accurate interaction and coarse positioning in a large VE. The haptic workspace is displayed visually using a semi-transparent sphere (looking like a bubble) that surrounds the manipulated cursor. When the cursor is located inside the bubble, its motion is position-controlled. When the cursor is outside, it is rate-controlled. The user may also "feel" the inner surface of the bubble, since the spherical workspace is "haptically" displayed by applying an elastic force-feedback when crossing the surface of the bubble.