Optimisation of ultrasound sensors for enhanced haptics

优化超声波传感器以增强触觉

• 批准号: 2886059
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Glasgow
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Studentship
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2023 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2886059
• 关键词: Optimisation; ultrasound; sensors; enhanced; haptics

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.

触觉技术近年来取得了重大发展，使技术能够更好地刺激我们的触觉。超声触觉设备是一个示例。这些传感器使用换能器阵列来聚焦超声波束，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，包括公共显示器和混合现实。然而，我们目前对超声波换能器的理解已经达到了极限。该项目的主要目标是研究如何克服这些传感器的局限性，以提供更灵敏和更高质量的触觉反馈。该项目提出了一个步骤的变化，我们如何在触觉设备中实现超声传感器。我们倾向于通过开发具有算法的系统来考虑这个问题，以适应超声传感器的标准/常规配置。然而，我们认为这个问题可以反过来解决，通过优化和设计传感器的动态与算法相结合，从而建立一个身临其境的触觉体验。实现这一目标的一个建议路线是通过先进的自适应材料，如形状记忆合金或超材料，使动态特性，包括共振和波束形状被控制，提出了一个令人兴奋的，尚未探索的机会。该项目将由格拉斯哥大学计算科学学院支持，他们已经在工程人机界面的超声触觉技术的经验。虽然在人机交互方面已经取得了重大进展，但传感器的优化配置构成了在现有系统能力基础上发展的明显机会。因此，该项目将提供如何将超声波传感器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波传感器的物理特性之间的关系，以及它们在触觉环境中的动态性能。这项研究形成了超声传感器、数学技术和人机交互界面之间的桥梁，同时加强了当前与触觉技术领域全球领先组织Ultraleap和压电和活性材料领域领导者CeramTec UK的行业关系。关键目标随着虚拟现实和移动的手机的进步，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技术的发展，除了那些在危险或恶劣环境中（例如对人类来说是放射性或高温）的检测技术所需的技术之外。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，提出了以下一套总体目标：1.通过数学建模和实验分析的结合，系统地评估与触觉系统中使用的超声波传感器的当前范围相关的限制。2.确定最佳传感器配置以提高动态性能。3.开发一种策略来制造一种新的原型传感器超声触觉，使用超材料，先进材料，或其他. 4.设计用于传感器或传感器阵列的接口，以在用于工业试验的合适的超声触觉系统中实现。