Physics Engine-Based Whole-Hand Haptic Rendering for Sensorimotor Neurorehabilitation
Raphael Ratz (University of Bern)
L. M. Marchal Crespo (University of Bern, TU Delft - Human-Robot Interaction, Erasmus MC)
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Abstract
Whole-hand haptic rendering could lead to more naturalistic and intuitive virtual hand-object interactions, which could be especially beneficial for applications such as sensorimotor robotic neurorehabilitation. However, the majority of previously proposed whole-hand haptic rendering algorithms rely on effortful custom implementations or are not suited for the grounded haptic devices often used in neurorehabilitation. Therefore, we suggest a framework for whole-hand haptic rendering based on a readily available physics engine. We employ a bilateral position-position teleoperation framework between a haptic rehabilitation device and a simulated hand avatar with added exercise-specific haptic rendering. Moreover, in consideration of the needs of neurological patients, we introduce an adaptive damping of the haptic device during hand-object interactions for increased stabilization of the patient's limb. We present the first results of the feasibility of the proposed framework in a haptic rehabilitation exercise. In an ongoing clinical study, the practical application of the presented framework is currently investigated.