The Case for Haptic Props: Shape, Weight and Vibro-tactile Feedback

Abstract

The use of haptic props in a virtual environment setting is purported to improve both user immersion and task performance. While the efficacy of various forms of haptics has been tested through user experiments, this is not the case for hand-held tool props, an important class of input device with both gaming and non-gaming applications. From a cost and complexity of implementation perspective it is also worth investigating the relative benefits of the different types of passive and active haptics that can be incorporated into such props.