Real-Time Haptic Rendering of Slowly Deformable Bodies Based on Two Dimensional Visual Information for Telemanipulation

Haptic rendering is a process providing force feedback during interactions between a user and a virtual object. This paper presents a real-time haptic rendering technique for deformable objects based on visual information of intervention between a tool and a real object in a remote place. A user can feel the artificial reaction force through a haptic device in real-time when a slave system exerts manipulation tasks on a deformable object. The models of the deformable object and the manipulator are created from the captured image obtained with a CCD camera and the recognition of objects is achieved using image processing techniques. The force at a rate of 1 kHz for stable haptic interaction is deduced using extrapolation of forces at a low update rate. The rendering algorithm developed was tested and validated on a test platform consisting of a one-dimensional indentation device and an off-the shelf force feedback device. This software system can be used in a cellular manipulation system providing artificial force feedback to enhance a success rate of operations.