Conceptual development of the tactile interface

In order to develop the tactile interface that allows users to touch a 3D shape by means of a continuous and free hand interaction, it is needed to conduct a preliminary study for evaluating the concept. In this chapter we will analyse how it is possible to render a 3D shape by means of a trajectory according to the designers needs. After that, we will study the ways to make possible the physical rendering of this trajectory by controlling the elastic behaviour of a continuous plastic strip. This analysis allows defining the degrees of freedom that have to be controlled in order to actuate the system and the different kinematics solutions. Various conceptual solutions for the actuations systems will be investigated, and the best solution according to the project goals will be chosen.