Robotic Manipulator Synchronizes Physical Objects with Virtual Reality Interactions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual reality (VR) systems fail to provide users with a seamless physical interaction experience, as they can only virtually interact with objects, leading to sensory inconsistencies between visual and tactile perceptions.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a robotic mechanism to synchronize physical interactions in the real world with virtual interactions, using a robotic arm to move and position objects in sync with the user's movements and actions within the VR environment, ensuring precise timing and orientation to enhance the immersion and realism of the VR experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robotic mechanism is introduced to provide physical interactions synchronized with VR events, then the realism and immersion of the VR experience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic mechanism serves as an intermediary between the virtual environment and the user's physical body. The robot receives control signals from the VR system based on virtual object positions and user movements, then physically manipulates real objects to match the virtual interactions, creating synchronized tactile feedback without requiring direct integration between VR software and user sensation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional haptic feedback devices (vibrators, resistive forces) with a robotic manipulation system. Instead of applying forces directly to the user's hand through haptic actuators, the robot uses grippers and manipulators to physically handle real objects, substituting complex mechanical haptic feedback with more intuitive robotic manipulation that naturally provides tactile sensation
2Reliability
If the robotic mechanism moves the physical object into contact with the user at the precise moment of virtual interaction, then the sensory consistency is improved, but the timing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the user's hand position through tracking devices and feeds this information back to the robotic control system. The VR system also provides feedback about virtual object positions and interaction events. This multi-source feedback loop enables the robotic mechanism to dynamically adjust its movements and achieve precise synchronization between physical and virtual interactions in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic mechanism is pre-programmed with the relationship between virtual object positions and corresponding physical object positions. Before interaction events occur, the system establishes the spatial mapping and prepares the robotic manipulator in advance. When a virtual interaction is detected, the robot executes pre-planned movements to deliver the physical object to the user's hand at the correct moment, reducing real-time computational demands
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses a robot to manipulate physical objects in sync with virtual objects, then the immersion is enhanced, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic mechanism is designed with universal functionality to handle various types of objects and perform multiple interaction types (grasping, manipulating, releasing). The same robotic system can accommodate different VR applications and scenarios by changing the physical objects and adjusting control parameters, rather than requiring specialized hardware for each interaction type. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing a user of a virtual reality (VR) system with physical interactions with an object in the real world or in the surrounding physical space while they are concurrently interacting in the virtual world with a corresponding virtual object. The real world object is dynamic with the system including a physical interaction system that includes a robot with a manipulator for moving, positioning, and/or orienting the real world object to move it into contact with the user. For example, the physical object is moved into contact with a tracked body part of the user at a time that is synchronized with a time of an interaction event occurring in the virtual world being created by the VR system. Further, a system is described for providing a dynamic physical interaction to a human participant, e.g., a fast and compelling handover in an augmented reality (AR) system.