SBIR-STTR Award

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop instrument control interfaces such as knobs and sliders with force feedback to create input-output devices capable of displaying feel to human operators. Flat-screen displays have significantly advanced the visual display of information in aircraft, automobile, and equipment interfaces. Similar advances for the sense of touch have not occurred - interfaces still use the same inflexible types of instrument controls (knobs, sliders, buttons, etc.) available decades ago. Exploration by the company suggests the potential for human factors benefits from advancing the state of the art in instrument controls by giving them programmable feels. Performance will benefit through the provision of meaningful, intuitive information to the underutilized sense of touch. These systems also could simplify interfaces by reducing the number of separate controls. One control could operate two or more carefully chosen functions, each function having a distinctly separate 'feel'. Instrument controls with programmable feels have the potential to revolutionize operator interfaces for all types of equipment and vehicles. The proposed work will leverage technologies proven in the company's other touch display products. Further development will create cost-effective, manufacturable instrument controls with feel display. A huge potential market exists for vehicle interfaces, professional equipment, and consumer electronics.

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will build on Phase I results to take advantage of an exciting opportunity to revolutionize the way people interact with the machines they encounter in everyday life. Visual displays have progressed remarkably in past decades. Aircraft cockpits that used to have hundreds of gauges and dials now have just a few color displays that provide rich visual information that changes depending on the situation. Yet physical interfaces--knobs, buttons, sliders, etc.--remain as primitive as ever. Regardless of context, these interfaces always feel the same and can serve only a limited number of functions. Phase I results demonstrated the potential human factors benefits of Smart Instrument Controls with programmable feels-- operator performance improved, especially when visual attention was critical, such as during a driving simulation task. These systems also could simplify interfaces by reducing the number of separate controls. One control could operate several functions, each function having a distinctly separate "feel". Phase II will continue human factors studies and expand to include research into novel sensor and actuator technologies for Smart Instrument Controls in order to develop a technology that simplifies elaborate system interfaces while improving or maintaining operator performance. Immersion Corporation proffers a man-machine interface technology that enhances an operator's experience and in many cases can improve performance by leveraging the underutilized sense of touch. These benefits have attracted companies.