Polhem to Örebro University

After one of our most successful years yet, Haptikfabriken can now proudly present Örebro University
as the newest member of our growing Polhem family (the group of universities owning at least one
Polhem haptic device).

Örebro University has conducted research with Polhem devices before (see this earlier post regarding
a Vinnova projekt), but in that case the devices were borrowed. Last year the decision was made to invest in their own device. The device will primarily be used in research involving interfaces for visually impaired
computer users and for experiments comparing different modality combinations (like e.g. visual-only,
visual-haptic, visual-haptic-audio). According to Örebro University, the decision to invest in this particular
device was based on the following parameters:

• Very high precision – necessary when conducting formal experiments as well as designing for visually impaired
• Ability to turn off haptic feedbac while still interacting – especially important when comparing modality combinations and don’t want to develop several versions of the same applications
• Large maximum force – also of high importance in several scientific domains and when working with visually impaired users

We are of course glad that these parameters made a difference, since we have focused a lot on these aspects when developing and refining the Polhem device.

Aside from delivering this particular device, we also delivered several others as integral components of several Kobra simulators that have also been delivered lately. You can read about some of those simulators here.

Which university will join the Polhem family next? Will you?