Haptic Directional Instruction System for Sports

Abstract

We proposed a new haptic instruction system for sports trainings that provides field players with instructed directions. The system consists of a stimulation unit (SU) for a player and an instruction unit (IU) for an instructor. Players wear the SU around their waist, and can recognize instructed directions by vibrations using 13 vibration actuators. The IU sends a direction where the joystick tilts to the SU via wireless communication modules. Preliminary experiments confirmed that the all participants did not feel the slipping away of the SU, and all participants were able to recognize its vibration even though they were running at 5, 10 km/h and standing (0 km/h). However, at 15 km/h, a participant who has a plump body recognized that a little or hardly recognized that at back part. We need to improve the method of providing stimuli at back part. By using the system, instructors and directors can provide the instructed directions to a field player without both any voice and gesture.

Appendices

Summary

We proposed a new haptic instruction system for sports trainings that provides field players with instructed directions. The system consists of a stimulation unit (SU) for a player and an instruction unit (IU) for an instructor. The SU has microcomputer, wireless communication module, geomagnetic sensor and 13 vibration actuators. Players wear the SU around their waist, and can recognize instructed directions from the SU. The SU also has two vibration actuators at back position to make the stimulation stronger. The geomagnetic sensor measures the directions of player’s trunk. The IU sends a direction where the joystick tilts to the SU via wireless communication modules. The player can adjust the positions of vibration actuators according to the player’s body shape. The IU can communicate with the SU at least 100 m away. The weight of SU is about 150 g with battery and can be used for at least an hour. The directions of player’s trunk and the joystick are divided by 12 divisions. The SU provides field players with the vibration stimulation at the relative direction of instructor. We carried out preliminary experiments to confirm that the players with the SU can feel the vibration stimulation and understand the directions while they are running. In the experiment, we measured gaps between the actual instructed directions and the stimulation positions that players recognized, and we also evaluated the subjective strength of stimulations and the wearabilities of the SU. As the results, the all participants did not feel the slipping away of the SU, and four-fifth participants were able to recognize its vibration even though they were running. By using the system, instructors and directors can provide the instructed directions to a field player without both any voice and gesture.

Demo Summary

• What the audience will experience with your demo?

  • They will be able to experience to recognize instructed direction from the Stimulation Unit (SU), and to control the wearer by using the Instruction Unit (IU). In addition, they can know the wearabilities of the system if they perform vigorous motions.

    If we can bring a treadmill to the conference for running demo, participants can run with the system. Unless we can bring a treadmill, we want enough space for running (e.g. 20 m straight-line distance).

• How many people can participate at one time?

  • Maximum four participants (we will bring two sets of proposed system; two instructors and two players can experience at one time).

• How long is the experience? (It is recommended that the demo experience is less than 3 min)

  • Within 3 min.

• How long will you need for setup?

  • 20 min.

• How many watt is required?

  • 100 W (100 V, 1 A).

• How many people will it take in the booth to explain your demonstration?

  • two or three people.

Keywords: 五個

• Haptic device

• Vibration

• Support system

• Direction instruction

• Superhuman sports

Research Area

• Assistive technology

• Wearable haptic devices

Floor Plan: With a Treadmill

• Layout

Our layout plan is shown in the following figure.

• Dimensions of floor space and height

3 ~ 4 × 3 m (Height: about 2 m).

• Light & Audio

Nothing special.

• Power sources

We need more than 5 plugs and 2000 W.

A treadmill, PC, battery charge of developed system.

• Equipment

A treadmill: wide * depth * height = 800 * 2300 * 1500 (mm), 180 kg, 100 V, 60 Hz, 15A.

Floor Plan: Without a Treadmill

• Layout

Our layout plan is shown in the following figure.

• Dimensions of floor space and height

2 × 2 m (Height: about 2 m).

And 20 m straight-line distance.

• Light & Audio

Nothing special.

• Power sources

We need more than 3 plugs and 500 W.

PC, battery charge of developed system.

• Equipment

Nothing special.