Optimisation of ultrasound sensors for enhanced haptics

近年来，触觉技术取得了重大发展，使技术能够更好地刺激我们的触觉。超声波触觉设备就是一个例子。这些传感器使用换能器阵列来聚焦超声波光束，控制其动态特性，以产生局部压力，刺激半空中的皮肤，从而为一系列应用提供触觉体验，包括公共展示和混合现实。然而，我们正在达到我们目前对超声波换能器的理解所能达到的极限。该项目的主要目标是研究如何克服这些传感器的限制，以提供更灵敏和更高质量的触觉反馈。这个项目提出了一个步骤改变我们如何在触觉设备中实现超声波传感器。我们倾向于通过开发具有算法的系统来适应超声传感器的标准/常规配置来看待这个问题。然而，我们认为这个问题可以通过另一种方式来解决，通过优化和设计传感器的动态与算法相结合，从而建立一个沉浸式的触觉体验。实现这一目标的一个建议途径是通过先进的自适应材料，如形状记忆合金或超材料，使包括共振和光束形状在内的动态特性得到控制，这是一个令人兴奋的，尚未探索的机会。该项目将得到格拉斯哥大学计算机科学学院的支持，该学院已经在超声波触觉技术的人机界面工程方面拥有经验。虽然在人机交互方面取得了重大进展，但传感器的优化配置为建立现有系统的能力提供了明显的机会。因此，该项目将提供超声波传感器如何集成到先进通信技术中所缺少的专业知识。具体来说，我们还没有完全理解超声传感器的物理特性与其在触觉环境中的动态性能之间的关系。这项研究在超声波传感器、数学技术和人机交互界面之间架起了一座桥梁，同时加强了与ultralap（触觉技术领域的全球领先组织）和CeramTec UK（压电和活性材料领域的领导者）之间的当前行业关系。随着虚拟现实和移动电话的进步，触觉技术越来越受欢迎，现在能够适应基本的遥感和激活。最近，COVID-19的后果重新推动了对非接触式技术的发展，除了那些用于危险或恶劣环境（例如放射性或高温环境）的检查技术之外。触觉被认为是实现这种能力的可行途径。为了实现这一目标，我们需要更深入地了解如何设计空气中超声波的特性，以提供所需的触觉体验。为了应对这一雄心勃勃的挑战，提出了以下总体目标：通过数学建模和实验分析相结合，系统地评估与触觉系统中使用的超声传感器的当前范围相关的局限性。确定最佳传感器配置以提高动态性能。开发一种策略，利用超材料、先进材料或其他方法，制造一种新型超声触觉原型传感器。设计一个传感器或传感器阵列的接口，以便在工业试验的合适超声触觉系统中实现。

Haptic technology has seen significant development in recent years, enabling technology to better stimulate our sense of touch. Ultrasound haptic devices are one example. These use arrays of transducers to focus ultrasound beams, controlling their dynamic properties to create localised pressures that stimulate skin in mid-air, thereby delivering haptic experiences for a range of applications, including public displays and mixed reality. However, we are reaching the limits of what can be achieved with our current understanding of ultrasonic transducers. The major goal of this project is to investigate how these transducer limitations can be overcome, to deliver more responsive and higher quality haptic feedback.This project proposes a step change in how we implement ultrasound sensors in haptic devices. We tend to look at this problem by developing systems with algorithms to accommodate standard / conventional configurations of ultrasound sensor. However, we think this problem can be tackled the other way round, by optimising and engineering the dynamics of the sensor to integrate with algorithms, thus building an immersive haptic experience. One proposed route to achieving this is via advanced, adaptive materials such as shape memory alloys or metamaterials, enabling dynamic properties including resonance and beam shape to be controlled, presenting an exciting, as yet unexplored, opportunity.This project will be supported by the School of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow, whom already have experience in engineering human-computer interfaces for ultrasound haptic technologies. Whilst significant progress has been made in human-computer interaction, optimised configurations of sensor constitute a clear opportunity to build on the capacity of existing systems. This project will therefore deliver the missing expertise in how ultrasonic sensors can be integrated into advanced communication technologies. Specifically, we do not yet fully understand the relationship between the physical characteristics of ultrasonic sensors, and their dynamic performance in a haptic environment. This research forms the bridge between ultrasound sensors, mathematical techniques, and the interface of human-computer interaction, whilst at the same time strengthening current industry relationships with Ultraleap, a leading global organisation in haptic technologies, and CeramTec UK, leaders in piezoelectric and active materials.Key ObjectivesHaptic technologies have grown in popularity with advances in virtual reality and mobile phones, now able to accommodate basic remote sensing and activation. Recently, a consequence of COVID-19 has renewed the drive towards touchless technologies, in addition to those desired for inspection technologies in hazardous or hostile environments (for example radioactive or high temperature for humans). Haptics is postulated as a viable route for such capabilities. To achieve this, we need significantly greater understanding of how the characteristics of ultrasound waves in air can be engineered to deliver the required haptic experience. To tackle this ambitious challenge, the following general set of objectives is proposed:1. Methodically assess the limitations associated with the current range of ultrasound sensors used in haptic systems, through a combination of mathematical modelling and experimental analysis.2. Determine optimal sensor configurations to improve dynamic performance.3. Develop a strategy to fabricate a novel prototype sensor for ultrasound haptics, using metamaterials, advanced materials, or otherwise.4. Engineer an interface for a sensor, or sensor array, to be implemented in a suitable ultrasound haptic system for industrial trials.