Modulating the weight perception of objects with haptic stimulation

Modulating the weight perception of objects with haptic stimulation

Level of qualifications required : Graduate degree or equivalent

Fonction : Internship Research

About the research centre or Inria department

The Inria center at the University of Rennes is one of eight Inria centers and has more than thirty research teams. The Inria center is a major and recognized player in the field of digital sciences. It is at the heart of a rich ecosystem of R&D and innovation, including highly innovative SMEs, large industrial groups, competitiveness clusters, research and higher education institutions, centers of excellence, and technological research institutes.

Context

The 6-month internship will take place in the Seamless team at IRISA Rennes. The team specializes in human-computer interactions, haptics and virtual reality.

Virtual reality allows the creation of different environments, and users can interact with virtual objects. However, these virtual objects are intangible, so users don’t perceive force and tactile sensations (also called haptic feedback) when grasping them, and this major drawback makes their manipulations difficult. An interesting approach to overcome this issue is to represent virtual objects with physical ones (often 3D printing), called tangibles. These tangibles can take different shapes, sizes, or have different textures, but still struggle to display different weight. During the internship, the intern will explore how tangibles can be augmented with haptic feedback to render different weights sensations.

The intern will design tangible interfaces based on 3D printing techniques and augment them with haptic feedback. The intern will then conduct user experiences to test for the influence of haptic feedback on weight perception. The internship could lead to writing a scientific paper, depending on the advancement.

Main activities

• Designing and implementing tangible augmented with haptic feedback (CAO, 3D printing)
• Programming of sensors to infer information on grasping (Arduino).
• Conducting perception studies to test the influence on weight perception.
• Writing of a scientific paper.

Skills

• Skills in programming
• CAO and 3D design AND/OR in mechanical engineering, robotics
• Curiosity and adaptability
• Ability to write in English

Benefits package

• Partial reimbursement of public transport costs
• Leave: 7 weeks of annual leave + 10 extra days off due to RTT (statutory reduction in working hours) + possibility of exceptional leave (sick children, moving home, etc.)
• Theme/Domain : Interaction and visualizationSoftware Experimental platforms(BAP E)

Warning : you must enter your e-mail address in order to save your application to Inria. Applications must be submitted online on the Inria website. Processing of applications sent from other channels is not guaranteed.

Instruction to apply

Please submit online : your resume, cover letter

Defence Security : This position is likely to be situated in a restricted area (ZRR), as defined in Decree No. relating to the protection of national scientific and technical potential (PPST).Authorisation to enter an area is granted by the director of the unit, following a favourable Ministerial decision, as defined in the decree of 3 July 2012 relating to the PPST. An unfavourable Ministerial decision in respect of a position situated in a ZRR would result in the cancellation of the appointment.

Recruitment Policy : As part of its diversity policy, all Inria positions are accessible to people with disabilities.

Inria is the French national research institute dedicated to digital science and technology. It employs 2,600 people. Its 200 agile project teams, generally run jointly with academic partners, include more than 3,500 scientists and engineers working to meet the challenges of digital technology, often at the interface with other disciplines. The Institute also employs numerous talents in over forty different professions. 900 research support staff contribute to the preparation and development of scientific and entrepreneurial projects that have a worldwide impact.