New Insights on Haptics and Human–Computer Interaction Systems in Virtual Reality

A special issue of Virtual Worlds (ISSN 2813-2084).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 3750

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Psychology, The American College of Greece, 15342 Athens, Greece
2. Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9AD, UK
3. Department of Psychology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
Interests: immersive technologies (VR & XR); human-computer interaction (cognition, perception & motor skills); cognitive neuroscience; frontal lobe functions; ergonomics
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Guest Editor
Arts and Humanities Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Interests: immersive virtual reality; embodiment; body ownership illusions; empathy; prosocial behavior; mental health; cognitive neuroscience
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Virtual Reality (VR) has transcended the boundaries of imagination and science fiction, becoming an integral part of today’s technological landscape. When combined with advanced haptic feedback and sophisticated human–computer interaction (HCI) systems, VR provides immersive experiences that are incredibly realistic, allowing users to perceive and interact with digital environments in ways that were once impossible.

The rapid evolution of these fields has opened up an array of possibilities for innovation, research, and application. From enhancing the tactile engagement of users in a virtual world to developing interfaces that seamlessly respond to human intent, the scope for progress is vast. The impact of these developments is profound across various sectors, including education, medicine, design, and gaming, to name a few.

This Special Issue is dedicated to fostering the exchange of the latest advances in VR, haptics, and HCI systems. We aim to highlight cutting-edge research that not only pushes the boundaries of what is possible but also critically examines the interaction between humans and computers in virtual contexts. We encourage submissions that explore new theories, build upon existing technologies, and provide innovative solutions to the challenges faced in these dynamic fields.

Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The development and evaluation of haptic interfaces and devices and HCI systems;
  • Innovative HCI methodologies in VR settings;
  • Multisensory feedback and its integration in VR systems;
  • Biomechanical modeling for haptic interaction;
  • Wearable haptic devices for immersive experiences;
  • Adaptive and intelligent interfaces in human–computer interaction;
  • The applications and implications of VR and haptics in training, rehabilitation, and therapy;
  • Cross-modal experiences and their influence on user perception in VR;
  • Emerging technologies for interactions in VR, such as brain–computer interfaces and AI-driven systems;
  • Design principles and standards for interaction techniques and haptic systems in VR.

We welcome contributions in the form of original research, case studies, and comprehensive reviews that not only present new findings but also conceptualize future directions in these rapidly evolving fields.

We look forward to your contributions and to advancing the frontiers of Virtual Reality, haptics, and Human–Computer Interaction Systems together.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Applied Sciences.

Dr. Panagiotis Kourtesis
Dr. Domna Banakou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Virtual Worlds is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • virtual reality
  • human–computer interaction
  • haptics

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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24 pages, 3197 KiB  
Article
Tactile Speech Communication: Reception of Words and Two-Way Messages through a Phoneme-Based Display
by Jaehong Jung, Charlotte M. Reed, Juan S. Martinez and Hong Z. Tan
Virtual Worlds 2024, 3(2), 184-207; https://doi.org/10.3390/virtualworlds3020010 - 7 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1187
Abstract
The long-term goal of this research is the development of a stand-alone tactile device for the communication of speech for persons with profound sensory deficits as well as for applications for persons with intact hearing and vision. Studies were conducted with a phoneme-based [...] Read more.
The long-term goal of this research is the development of a stand-alone tactile device for the communication of speech for persons with profound sensory deficits as well as for applications for persons with intact hearing and vision. Studies were conducted with a phoneme-based tactile display of speech consisting of a 4-by-6 array of tactors worn on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the forearm. Unique tactile signals were assigned to the 39 English phonemes. Study I consisted of training and testing on the identification of 4-phoneme words. Performance on a trained set of 100 words averaged 87% across the three participants and generalized well to a novel set of words (77%). Study II consisted of two-way messaging between two users of TAPS (TActile Phonemic Sleeve) for 13 h over 45 days. The participants conversed with each other by inputting text that was translated into tactile phonemes sent over the device. Messages were identified with an accuracy of 73% correct in conjunction with 82% of the words. Although rates of communication were slow (roughly 1 message per minute), the results obtained with this ecologically valid procedure represent progress toward the goal of a stand-alone tactile device for speech communication. Full article
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23 pages, 17790 KiB  
Technical Note
Development of a Modular Adjustable Wearable Haptic Device for XR Applications
by Ali Najm, Domna Banakou and Despina Michael-Grigoriou
Virtual Worlds 2024, 3(4), 436-458; https://doi.org/10.3390/virtualworlds3040024 - 16 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 993
Abstract
Current XR applications move beyond audiovisual information, with haptic feedback rapidly gaining ground. However, current haptic devices are still evolving and often struggle to combine key desired features in a balanced way. In this paper, we propose the development of a high-resolution haptic [...] Read more.
Current XR applications move beyond audiovisual information, with haptic feedback rapidly gaining ground. However, current haptic devices are still evolving and often struggle to combine key desired features in a balanced way. In this paper, we propose the development of a high-resolution haptic (HRH) system for perception enhancement, a wearable technology designed to augment extended reality (XR) experiences through precise and localized tactile feedback. The HRH system features a modular design with 58 individually addressable actuators, enabling intricate haptic interactions within a compact wearable form. Dual ESP32-S3 microcontrollers and a custom-designed system ensure robust processing and low-latency performance, crucial for real-time applications. Integration with the Unity game engine provides developers with a user-friendly and dynamic environment for accurate, simple control and customization. The modular design, utilizing a flexible PCB, supports a wide range of actuators, enhancing its versatility for various applications. A comparison of our proposed system with existing solutions indicates that the HRH system outperforms other devices by encapsulating several key features, including adjustability, affordability, modularity, and high-resolution feedback. The HRH system not only aims to advance the field of haptic feedback but also introduces an intuitive tool for exploring new methods of human–computer and XR interactions. Future work will focus on refining and exploring the haptic feedback communication methods used to convey information and expand the system’s applications. Full article
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