DH2660 Haptics 6.0 credits
This course has been discontinued.
Last planned examination: Spring 2020
Decision to discontinue this course:
No information inserted
Haptic feedback (supporting the touch modality) is often taken for granted in real life but it is still not common when interacting with computers. If you grasp an object by using a haptic device that is available today you can feel the qualities of the material of a graphical object, like softness, texture, weight, or viscosity. Magnetism and pulling forces can also be represented and felt physically. Haptic feedback thus makes it possible to feel graphical objects as if they were real physical objects and that makes them easier to manipulate. In this course the theoretical framework for haptic perception and cognition is presented. Methods for design and evaluation of different haptic interfaces as well as other tactile interaction methods are described. Application areas that are relevant for haptic technology are reviewed like for example computer games, computer support for collaboration, scientific visualization, and medical simulation. Students will learn how to design and program their own applications in laboratory assignments with different haptic devices.
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
This is an advanced course in human-computer interaction about methods for design, development and evaluation of haptic and tactile interfaces in different application areas such as computer games, computer supported collaboration, scientific visualization, medical simulation, and assistive technology.
The frontline research results regarding human touch perception is presented and how the human brain processes these perceptual events cognitively. An interesting question is how humans can use more of the brain capacity when interacting with and mediated by computers if more modalities than vision can be utilized.
Guidelines for how haptic interfaces should be designed are presented in the course and students practise to use these in the project they do and during laboratory sessions. In the projects, HCI-methodologies are applied in innovative ways in order to evaluate haptic interfaces.
Intended learning outcomes
After the course students will be able to:
- describe how the functionality of the sense of touch both perceptually and cognitively,
- explain how haptic feedback can be used in different application areas,
- use specific guidelines for haptic interface design,
- program haptic applications,
- apply HCI-methods for evaluation of haptic applications.
Course disposition
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
Single course students: 90 university credits including 45 university credits in Mathematics or Information Technology. Swedish B or equivalent and English B or equivalent.
Recommended prerequisites
Knowledge in human-computer interaction from the Human-Computer Interaction Introductory Course (DH2620) or a similar course.
Equipment
Literature
Compendium describing theory, research and application areas in the area of haptics will be available when the course starts.
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
Examination
- INL1 - Assignment, 1.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
- LAB1 - Laboratory Assignments, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
- PRO1 - Project, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
In this course all the regulations of the code of honor at the School of Computer science and Communication apply, see: http://www.kth.se/csc/student/hederskodex/1.17237?l=en_UK.
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
Further information
Course web
Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.
Course web DH2660