Sensing distant objects by tele-haptic interface

In this research we have developed a tele-haptic interface equipped with a tactile sensor device and a tactile display device that is able to reconstruct the roughness of a material's surface sensed by the tactile sensor. The tactile display device can be attached to a user hand, while the tactile sensor device is placed on top of a material located in a distant location. A user can horizontally move the display device. This action will be mimicked by the tactile sensor device, consequently causing the tactile sensor device to "rub" the material and transfers the information of the material's roughness to be reconstructed by the tactile display device. The interface will enable a user to actively sense a material in a distant location.