Reducing error rates with low-cost haptic feedback in virtual reality-based training applications

This paper reports on the effectiveness of haptic feedback in a low-cost virtual-reality training environment for military and emergency personnel. Subjects participated in simulated exercises for clearing a damaged building, implemented using a modified commercial videogame engine and USB-compatible force and vibration feedback devices. With the addition of haptic feedback, subjects made fewer procedural errors and completed some tasks more rapidly. Initially, best results were obtained with vibration feedback. After modifications to the collision detection and display algorithm, force feedback produced equivalent results and was preferred by a majority of subjects.