1. GRAB: the world at your fingertips
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Information Society Directorate-General
Emerging Technologies and Infrastructures. Applications
Elderly and persons with disabilities
Concertation Meeting
19 May 2003 Brussels
GRAB: the world at your fingertips
GRAB concertation mtg 19 May 03

2. GRAB: haptic/audio virtual environment
GRAB enables sensing and interaction with 3D graphics using touch and audio
Designed for blind people – though has many applications
Innovation in:
Hardware
Software modeling tool
Applications: currently Graphs and Maps
Potential to increase employment and leisure opportunities
GRAB concertation mtg 19 May 03

3. GRAB Haptic Interface vs PHANToM
Performance
GRAB HI
PHANToM (6DoF/Premium 1.5)
Workspace
600x400x400mm
195x270x375mm
Max exertable force
20 N
8.5 N
Force feedback resolution
0.05 N
0.04 N
Force accuracy
> 1 N ?
Stiffness
> 8 N/mm
3.5 N/mm
2 fingers
1 finger
GRAB concertation mtg 19 May 03

4. System view of GRAB Haptic Geometric Modeller Haptic Interface
Maps, Charts, Game
Applications
Get position of User´s fingers
Analyse position of User´s fingers
Haptic Geometric Modeller
Haptic Process
Host PC Library
Replicate forces on User´s fingers
Compute forces to be sent to user
Haptic Interface
Interaction report
Action
Control input via keyboard
Manage User actions
Rendering
Verbal commands
Design virtual environment
ViaVoice
Generate audio messages
Send
Audio messages
Define attributes
Management Process
Geometric Modeller
Audio Processes
GRAB concertation mtg 19 May 03

5. Standard hardware elements in GRAB
Motorisation system
Manufacturing of mechanical components
Electronic components
Communication protocols
Power supply, cabling and driving subsystems
GRAB concertation mtg 19 May 03

6. Standard software elements in GRAB
Operating System: Windows NT & 2000
Graphical and programming libraries (Open GL - C++)
Modeller software developed to ISO9000 standards
Object description and import facilities:
translators from STEP & VRML to import models
translator from Excel to import graphs
new translators to import specific models
Procedural standards:
protocols for validation and results
performance analysis of the device
functionalities to exploit
types and contents of the applications
Operating Systems (Windows NT, Windows 2000)
Graphical and programming libraries (Open GL - C++)
Object description and import facilities:
Translator from STEP to import models
Translator from VRML to import models
Translator from Excel to import graphs
The object oriented design of the GRAB system facilitates the implementation of new translators, that can be required when a new application is going to be developed to import specific models
Procedural standards:
protocols for validation and results
performance analysis of the device
functionalities to exploit
types and contents of the applications
Modeller software developed to ISO9000 standards
GRAB concertation mtg 19 May 03

7. IP and exploitation opportunities
Haptica, Dublin
Core technology in embedded systems and augmented reality simulation
Integrate GRAB h/w and s/w in current and future work?
LABEIN, Bilbao
Developed geometric modeller and all software; algorithms protected by copyright/trade secret
Core business of LABEIN; potential to license software to third parties
NCBI, Dublin
Advises on and supplies a range of specially adapted hardware and software
Dissemination, sales, promotion.
PERCRO, Pisa (Scuola Superiore S. Anna,)
Expertise in haptics; hold patent on haptic interface
Exploit patent and license hardware where appropriate
RNIB, UK
Distributes products to 140 countries
Dissemination, marketing and selling world-wide
UTT – ONCE, Madrid
Distribution and commercialisation of products for blind and visually impaired people
Dissemination, marketing and selling
GRAB concertation mtg 19 May 03