Force Maintenance Accuracy Using a Tool: Effects of Magnitude and Feedback

IEEE Trans Haptics. 2016 Jul-Sep;9(3):432-6. doi: 10.1109/TOH.2016.2535216. Epub 2016 Feb 26.

Abstract

The ability to precisely produce a force via a hand-held tool is crucial in fine manipulations. In this paper, we study the error in maintaining a target force ranging from 0.5 to 5 N under two concurrent feedback conditions: pure haptic feedback (H), and visual plus haptic feedback (V + H). The results show that absolute error (AE) increases along with the increasing force magnitudes under both feedback conditions. For target forces ranging from 1.5 to 5 N, the relative error (RE) is approximately constant under both feedback conditions, while the RE significantly increases for the small target forces of 0.5 and 1 N. The effect of force magnitude on the coefficient of variation (CoV) is not significant for target forces ranging from 1.5 to 5 N. For both the RE and the CoV, the values under the H condition are significantly larger than those under the V + H condition. The effect of manipulation mode (i.e., a hand-held tool or a fingertip) on force maintenance accuracy is complex, i.e., its effect on RE is not significant while its effect on CoV is significant. Only for the magnitude of 0.5 N, the RE of using the tool was significantly greater than that of using the fingertip under both feedback conditions. For both the RE and the CoV, no interaction effect exists between manipulation mode, force magnitude and feedback condition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Data Accuracy*
  • Feedback*
  • Feedback, Sensory / physiology*
  • Female
  • Fingers / physiology
  • Hand Strength / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male