VisPad: a novel device for vibrotactile force feedback

VisPad is a new haptics design for visualizing data, constructed from commodity massage chair pads with custom controllers and interfaces to a computer. It is an output device for information transmitted to a user who sits on the pad. The user interface is unique in that it has a large feedback area and is passive in nature, where unlike most current haptics devices, the user's hands are free to work on other things. VisPad can be used as the sole haptics device or can be used in conjunction with other haptics devices. We have tested the usefulness of VisPad in visualizing data by adding the VisPad interface to our protein structure-alignment program (ProtAlign) and performing usability studies. The data demonstrates that more information can be perceived at one time with our multi-modal presentation than with graphics-based visualization alone.